The investigation team responsible for undertaking excavations and exhumations in the Kurukkalmadam Mass Grave Case B/172/2014 conducted a site visit on Thursday (11) in order to decide on how to proceed, according to the Office on Missing Persons (OMP).

The team comprised Judicial Medical Officers (JMOs) headed by the Chief Consultant JMO, officers of the Archaeology Department, Police personnel, Scenes of Crime Officers (SOCO), lawyers representing the complainant, and officials from the OMP.

The visit to the suspected mass grave site was conducted under the supervision of Judge J.B.A. Ranjithkumar, Magistrate Court, Kaluwanchikudy. The team will prepare an investigation plan and a budget, which will be presented to the court by Thursday (18).

On 25 August, Magistrate Ranjithkumar issued an order to commence excavations based on Article 12(d) of the OMP (Establishment, Administration, and Discharge of Functions) Act No.14 of 2016.

Under this provision, the OMP makes an application to a Magistrate’s Court for an order to initiate excavations and exhumations at a suspected mass grave site. As per the court’s order, the OMP facilitated the process for a field visit with the expert team on Thursday.

The Magistrate permitted family members of the disappeared, who believe that their loved ones’ remains may lie in the Kurukkalmadam mass grave, to observe proceedings at the site. At the request of the court, 26 of these families submitted affidavits regarding the disappearance of their loved ones.

The OMP has a primary mandate to search for and trace missing persons. The organisation works towards ensuring a multidisciplinary approach to mass grave investigations, while safeguarding the rights of affected families.