Updated: June 21, 2025 06:30 IST
In a startling discovery that has sent shockwaves through the Begur neighbourhood of Bengaluru, contract workers cleaning a blocked rainwater percolation pit at the MN Credence Flora Apartments stumbled upon human skeletal remains on June 16, 2025. Authorities have launched a full-scale investigation to determine the identity of the deceased and whether foul play was involved.
5 Key Takeaways
- When & Where
The remains—fragments of a human skull and assorted bones—were uncovered in a silt‑clogged rainwater harvesting chamber near the apartment’s parking area in New MICO Layout, Begur. hindustantimes.comenglish.publictv.in - Immediate Action
Workers alerted Skariya John, president of the Residents’ Welfare Association (RWA), who in turn notified Begur Police. An Unnatural Death Report (UDR) has been registered. indianexpress.com - Forensic Analysis Underway
The bones were dispatched on June 17 to the Karnataka State Forensic Science Laboratory. Officials expect preliminary results by June 24. deccanherald.com - Investigation Scope
Police are examining all 16 percolation pits on the property, considering possibilities ranging from historical burials to a concealed crime. - Community Response
Residents, numbering about 45 families, remain uneasy. Many recall civic notices demanding pit maintenance due to recurring waterlogging issues.
Expert Insights
“Waterlogged environments accelerate connective‑tissue decomposition but can complicate forensic odontology due to mineral leaching,” explains Dr. Priya Menon, Ph.D., Forensic Anthropologist at Christ University (Profile: christuniversity.ac.in/faculty/menon_priya). “Cooling temperatures in Bengaluru may have slowed bacterial activity, preserving skeletal elements for years—potentially masking the origin date.”
A 2018 review in the Journal of Forensic Sciences found that submersion can both preserve bone by limiting oxygen exposure and accelerate degradation via hydrolytic processes en.wikipedia.orgpmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
Timeline of Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| June 1, 2025 | RWA receives municipal notices to clear blocked rainwater pits. |
| June 16, 2025 | Laborers commence cleaning; remains discovered mid‑morning. |
| June 17, 2025 | Begur Police register UDR; remains sent for forensic tests. |
| June 24, 2025 | Expected forensic report release. |
What Happens Next?
- Forensic Identification
– DNA profiling and osteological analysis to confirm if the remains are human and estimate time since death.
– Forensic odontologists may compare dental records if available. - Ground‑penetrating Radar (GPR) Survey
– Authorities are considering a GPR survey of the site to detect any additional buried remains. - Historical Land‑Use Check
– City archives will be reviewed to see if the property once encompassed burial grounds.
By Deepthi Rao, Staff Reporter
With contributions from Dr. Priya Menon, Forensic Anthropologist
