Payment dues haunt Dharmasthala mass burial search operation

Mangaluru: Months after the SIT wrapped up the search operation linked to the alleged Dharmasthala mass burial case, labourers and equipment providers engaged for the operation are still awaiting payment.

Men and machinery were deployed across nearly 17 locations in and around Dharmasthala as part of the SIT probe into allegations made by former sanitation worker CN Chinnayya. Chinnayya approached police claiming that mass burials took place in the region. Following his complaint, a case was registered at Dharmasthala police station on July 4, 2025. Amid growing public attention surrounding the allegations, the state govt constituted an SIT on July 19 to investigate the claims. The search operation conducted between late July and mid-August involved earthmovers, labourers and temporary infrastructure at multiple sites.

However, those who participated in the operation now allege that dues amounting to nearly Rs 2 lakh remain unpaid. An earthmover owner said he was contacted through the local panchayat, and his machine was used continuously from July 29 to Aug 12. "We were told the payments would be processed later, but even now I have not received the money. Whenever we contact the panchayat, officials said they were coordinating with the ZP and expected the funds to come from the SIT. I also approached the SIT's local office, but nothing has happened yet," he said.

According to officials familiar with the matter, around 20 labourers were engaged in the excavation work, though not all were deployed every day. Pending payments reportedly include nearly Rs 1 lakh towards labour wages, Rs 24,000 for materials such as sheets and nets, and Rs 71,500 towards earthmover charges.

Sources said the gram panchayat forwarded the bills to the zilla panchayat, which in turn reportedly sent them to the SIT. However, the ZP is understood to have maintained that its regular development funds could not be used since the excavation was part of a criminal investigation and not a civic development project.

Responding to the issue, senior IPS officer Pronab Mohanty, who heads the SIT, said the investigating agency had not officially received any request or demand.

“We are an investigating agency. If we have to pay, we will pay. Unless I receive anything in writing, what can I say? I have not received any demand from anyone," he said.