MANGALURU, 13 JULY

The Dakshina Kannada Police have stated that they will consult the complainant before deciding whether to replace the current Investigating Officer (IO) or form a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the alleged illegal burial of bodies in Dharmasthala.

In a statement issued on Saturday, 12 July, police noted that some members of the public have demanded either a change in the IO or a transfer of the investigation to an SIT. Police will also verify with the complainant's legal representatives whether they support such a demand. The statement added that some comments made by the complainant's advocates to the media on 11 July were factually inaccurate, though no further details were provided.

The complainant, who claims to have worked as a sanitary worker in Dharmasthala between 1995 and 2014, alleged he was forced to bury several victims of murder and sexual assault. On 11 July, he presented skeletal remains—allegedly exhumed by him—to the Belthangady Magistrate Court. Police seized the remains in the presence of his advocates and official witnesses.

The complainant filed his report on 3 July, and a case was registered on 4 July under Section 211(a) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. He has since been granted protection.