Mangaluru, July 31, 2025: An intensive operation took place on Wednesday as a Special Investigation Team (SIT) scoured the Netravati riverbank in Dharmasthala Police Station Limit, focusing on four heavily forested areas where human remains were believed to be buried, relating to historical criminal cases. The extensive search, however, yielded no evidence of bodies, according to SIT sources.
Excavation Yields Only Cards, No Corpses
The operation was initiated based on information provided by a witness who pinpointed 12 potential locations, with nine situated in the forest and three others near a check dam beside the Netravati bathing ghat. As of Tuesday, four of these sites have been excavated, with no human remains or pertinent evidence found yet. Despite the challenges posed by the dense forest, a PAN card and a RuPay debit card were unearthed near the bathing ghat, which are currently being verified. The difficult terrain has limited the use of heavy machinery, forcing authorities to rely on manual tools such as spades and pickaxes for the search, as reported by Prajavani newspaper quoting SIT sources.
SIT Intensifies Probe with Witness Assistance
The SIT, under the leadership of Chief Pranav Mohanty and with a masked witness in attendance for anonymity and accompanied by his legal counsel, proceeded with their meticulous operation. The witness played a crucial role in guiding the team to the various locations, while Puttur Deputy Superintendent Stella Varghese closely monitored the progress. The digging at each site went as deep as six feet, demonstrating the thoroughness of the investigation. To maintain the witness's confidentiality, special food arrangements were made, with meals provided from a local hotel, separate from the team's.
The SIT officials, including DIG M.N. Anuchet and SP-rank officers Jitendra Kumar Dayam and C.A. Saimon, were actively involved in overseeing the inspection of these locations. To facilitate public cooperation, a dedicated helpline (0824-2005301) has been established, along with alternative channels such as WhatsApp (8277986369) and email (sitdps@ksp.gov.in). The use of these communication methods is encouraged for any information that may assist in advancing the case. The SIT's tireless work and commitment to transparency are reflected in these efforts to engage the community in the pursuit of justice.
Keywords: Mangaluru, Netravati river, SIT probe, Dharmasthala Police Station, human remains, police search, crime investigation, PAN card, debit card, excavation