Police in Dharmasthala, Karnataka, have arrested a former temple cleaner who recently made harrowing allegations of being compelled to bury the bodies of numerous women who were purportedly raped and murdered. This shocking claim from the middle-aged man has created a wave of unrest in the small religious town, revered for its ancient temple dedicated to Manjunatha Swamy, an incarnation of the Hindu god Shiva.
The allegations led to the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the extraordinary claims made by the man, whose identity has remained secret. The SIT official confirmed the man has been arrested for perjury following the investigation into his shocking assertions, which surfaced after he filed an official complaint back in July. He donned a full black ensemble, including a hood and mask, for public appearances.
In his detailed complaint, which has been reviewed by the BBC, the former cleaner claimed to have worked at the temple from 1995 to 2014. He alleged that he was forced to bury the remains of hundreds of young women, some reportedly minors, who were victims of brutal sexual assaults and killings. The man described several instances in which he claimed to have participated in concealing these heinous acts.
During his court appearance, he presented a human skull as evidence, claiming it belonged to one of the buried victims. However, officials from the SIT have disputed the authenticity of the skull, stating it did not originate from the specified burial locations. This arrest marks a significant development in what has quickly become a heated controversy, sparking extensive media coverage and a political uproar.
In light of the allegations, excavations have taken place in various locations linked to the man's claims, uncovering human remains, including a skull and bone fragments at two sites, which are currently undergoing forensic analysis.
The claims have cast a shadow over the Heggade family, the temple's hereditary administrators, who have publicly denied the allegations and expressed confidence in the investigative process. The temple's chief administrator, Veerendra Heggade, who also holds a position in the Indian parliament, termed the allegations "impossible" and urged for a thorough inquiry to unveil the truth.
As this unsettling story continues to unfold, its ramifications extend beyond local concerns, igniting political tensions within the state assembly, as opposition members accused the ruling party of initiating a smear campaign against a significant religious site. Home Minister G Parameshwara reasserted the government's commitment to revealing the truth, emphasizing that the investigation's outcome would determine the future standing of Dharmasthala.
