Bengaluru: Serious allegations of evidence tampering have emerged in the ongoing investigation into the Dharmasthala missing persons case. Advocate Manjunath N, who represents Sujatha Bhat, the mother of missing medical student Ananya Bhat, has claimed that a large quantity of fresh soil and waste was recently dumped in a sensitive forest area at the foot of Bahubali Hill, possibly to erase crucial evidence.
In a press release issued along with photographs, the advocate stated that excavation work had been undertaken in the forested zone on Saturday. However, according to him, around 10 feet of fresh soil and assorted waste were later deposited at the site, raising strong suspicion of foul play.
The location in question, he noted, is of particular significance to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the whistleblower’s allegations of mass burials in and around Dharmasthala. The dumping, he suggested, may have been carried out by influential vested interests seeking to obstruct the investigation.
Despite digging up to seven feet in the area where the fresh soil was placed, no human remains were found. Advocate Manjunath alleged that if such remains have now disappeared, it is unlikely to be due to natural causes and more probably the result of a deliberate attempt to remove or conceal them.
“The choice of this sensitive area for dumping waste so recently is highly suspicious,” he said in his statement, expressing confidence that the SIT would uncover the “conspiracy” behind the act.
The SIT is yet to issue an official statement regarding the allegations.
Get all the latest, breaking news from Mangaluru and Dakshina Kannada in a single click. CLICK HERE to get all the latest news from Mangaluru.
Read more on english.varthabharati.in
