The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged mass burials in Dharmasthala village found five skulls and 100 bones at Banglagudde near Dharmasthala on Wednesday.
They were found lying on the ground in the forest area, according to SIT sources.
The officials also recovered a rope, a walking stick, a poison bottle, and an identity card from the spot. They were recovered in the presence of Forest Department officials who were directed by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests to assist the SIT.
During questioning by the SIT following his arrest, the complainant in the case, Chinnaiah, had said that the skeletal remains he produced before the magistrate in Belthangady at the time of recording his statement were given to him by Vittala Gowda, the uncle of Soujanya, who was raped and murdered in October 2012.
Later, the SIT questioned Gowda and took him twice, a few days ago, to Banglagudde as he told the SIT that he got the remains from Banglagudde. In an interview to a local news website, Gowda claimed that he saw skeletal remains of eight persons, including a young child, and a few articles related to black magic at Banglagudde during his two visits for ‘mazahar’ by SIT.
Earlier, during the digging of sites shown by Chinnaiah, the SIT had recovered some skeletal remains found lying on the ground at Banglagudde.
Case against activist
Meanwhile, the Belthangady police have registered a case against activist Mahesh Shetty Thimarody, following the recovery of two swords and a gun by SIT during a search at his house in Ujire on August 26.
In a complaint, SIT Superintendent of Police C.A. Simon said the search was conducted as Chinnaiah had stayed in Mr. Thimarody’s house for a few days before his arrest. Apart from two swords and the gun, the SIT seized a total of 44 articles, which included laptops and mobile phones.
This complaint was registered on Tuesday for offences under Sections 25 (1)(1-A) and 25 (1)(1-B) (a) of Indian Arms Act.
