3 arrested for allegedly digging up graves, supplying human remains to Medical College in Raichur

Raichur: In a shocking incident, three men have been arrested in Karnataka’s Raichur district for allegedly digging up human remains from graves at the Maruti Nagar cemetery and supplying them to a private medical college for educational purposes. Police are investigating the suspected link to the institution and whether others were involved.

According to the news reports, the accused include a 28-year-old cemetery maintenance worker and grave digger, along with two men aged 35 and 32 who reportedly worked at a private medical college. All three were arrested on Saturday.

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Raichur Superintendent of Police Arunangshu Giri said that investigators suspect human remains were removed from buried bodies and handed over to the other accused. Police are investigating the alleged supply chain and whether more people were involved.

Speaking to the Hindustan Times, Giri said, “There are also allegations that small amounts of money, reportedly ranging from Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000, were paid in exchange for the remains. However, these claims, including the alleged financial transactions and the involvement of college personnel, require independent verification.”

The investigation began after local residents complained that graves at the Maruti Nagar cemetery, located behind the Akashvani premises on Mantralaya Road, had been disturbed.

Residents alleged that skeletal remains, including skulls, were found scattered around the burial ground. They also claimed that graves appeared to have been covered again after bodies were allegedly exhumed.

B. Basavaraj Suryaday, a local resident, alleged that the removal of human remains had been taking place for several years, often under the cover of darkness.

He expressed concern over the alleged desecration of graves and the disturbance caused to the deceased and their families. “Even the body buried in the graveyard has no peace,” he said.

Raichur Deputy Commissioner Poovitha S said that police were investigating the allegations and questioning the accused. “At present, they have stated that they supply the skeletal remains to Navodaya Medical College. We will investigate this claim as well. Based on the findings, we will examine the statements and determine who should face action,” she said, reports Hindustan Times.

A case has been registered at Netaji Nagar police station under Sections 301 and 303(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

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