Horror Unearthed on Nethravati Banks: Mass Murders and Human Sacrifices Rock Dharmasthala
Dharmasthala, Karnataka, August 6, 2025 — The serene banks of the Nethravati River near the revered Shiva temple of Dharmasthala in Karnataka have become the epicenter of a chilling scandal that has sent shockwaves across India. Allegations of gruesome murders, human sacrifices, and covert burials targeting lone women and girls have tarnished the sanctity of this pilgrimage hub. A former sanitation worker’s explosive revelations have unraveled a decades-long saga of horror, with authorities uncovering skeletal remains and mounting evidence of a macabre conspiracy.
A Sinister Pattern of Targeted Killings
Investigations have revealed a disturbing pattern of targeting solitary women and minor girls visiting the temple town. Local whispers, now amplified by official probes, suggest that lone female visitors rarely left Dharmasthala alive. Authorities estimate at least 450 murders, with bodies allegedly buried in secret along the Nethravati River or in nearby forested areas. The killings, reportedly carried out under the guise of occult rituals and human sacrifices, have exposed what some are calling one of the most barbaric episodes in modern India.
The breakthrough came from Bhima, a former sanitation worker employed at Dharmasthala between 1995 and 2014. In a letter to the district superintendent of police, Bhima alleged he was forced to dispose of hundreds of bodies, predominantly those of women and girls, many bearing signs of sexual assault and strangulation. Some remains, he claimed, were incinerated using diesel to erase evidence. The complaint, lodged on July 3, 2025, prompted the Karnataka government to form a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the allegations, which have since sparked nationwide outrage.
Excavations Unearth Gruesome Evidence
The SIT’s excavations along the Nethravati River and adjacent forests have yielded chilling findings: human skeletal remains, bones, and fragments of clothing, including a saree found near the skeleton of a 13-year-old girl. These discoveries have been sent for forensic analysis, lending credence to the allegations. The SIT, assisted by the Anti-Naxal Force (ANF), has identified 15 key sites for further digging, with operations ongoing to uncover additional remains.
A History of Suspicious Deaths
The case has cast a spotlight on past incidents of mysterious disappearances and deaths in Dharmasthala. In 2003, Ananya Bhat, an MBBS student, vanished during a college trip to the temple town. Despite her mother Sujatha Bhat’s complaints, no case was registered. Similarly, in 2014, 17-year-old Sowjanya was allegedly raped and murdered, with accusations that the real culprits were shielded, and a scapegoat was prosecuted. Police records indicate approximately 250 missing persons cases between 1995 and 2014, raising questions about systemic cover-ups.
Adding to the mystery, records of unnatural deaths between 2000 and 2015 have vanished from the Belthangady police station, according to RTI activist Jayanth. The absence of digitized records in Dakshina Kannada, a district known for advanced digital infrastructure, has fueled suspicions of deliberate tampering. Legal experts and civil society groups have slammed the apparent negligence, demanding accountability.
Allegations Against Temple Authorities
The scandal has also drawn scrutiny to the temple’s management, with allegations of involvement by influential figures, including Dharmasthala’s Dharmadhikari and Rajya Sabha member Veerendra Heggade. Locals and activists claim political pressure has been used to suppress the truth. A gag order issued by a Bengaluru civil court on media coverage was recently overturned by the Karnataka High Court, citing the public’s right to know.
A Community Gripped by Fear
The revelations have left Dharmasthala’s residents in a state of fear and mistrust. One local, speaking anonymously, claimed to have heard of such crimes since childhood, describing them as too vast to recount. The SIT, led by four IPS officers, is intensifying its probe, but locals remain hesitant to speak openly, fearing reprisals.
As the nation watches with bated breath, the Dharmasthala case has reignited urgent debates about women’s safety and the sanctity of religious sites. With investigations ongoing and more evidence likely to emerge, the full truth behind this horrifying chapter remains to be uncovered.
