Dharmasthala case: SIT digs at four new spots, but draws a blank

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Friday dug four spots that were not marked earlier but had been mentioned in the whistleblower/complainant’s voluntary statement before the court, and found no skeletal remains.

In his statement before the court, the complainant reportedly made a mention of one particular instance where he claimed to have buried the body of a girl aged between 12-15, who he claimed was raped and murdered. He also reportedly mentioned the approximate spot where he buried her body.

On Friday, SIT sleuths took the complainant to the said spot at Boliyar village near Dharmasthala. He reportedly said that since many years had passed, he couldn’t identify the exact spot, but showed four probable spots, all of which were dug using an earthmover. No skeletal remains were found at any of the four spots, sources confirmed.

The sources also said that the complainant, in his statement at the spot on Friday, claimed that in this particular case, autopsy was conducted on the body and the police and local panchayat members were present when he buried the body, which was not mentioned in his statements earlier.

The SIT has been pinning hopes on this case, as if the skeletal remains are found the identification of the victim could be easier.

The sources said since the complainant was confident of burying the minor girl in the same forst area, the SIT would continue digging at other probable spots in the area on Saturday.

SIT declared a police station 

Meanwhile, the SIT has been declared as a police station and all officers in the team above the rank of an inspector have been given the powers of a Station House Officer, according to an order issued on August 6.

This has been a demand, ever since the SIT was formed under the leadership of Director-General of Police Pronab Mohanty on July 19, as only when it is declared as a police station would the SIT be authorised to register new cases, make arrests and file charge sheets in courts.