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.
