Police Exhumed the Body of a Victim of a Pengeroyokan in Tabanan

TABANAN - The police carried out the exhumation process for the body of Ketut Darmawan, a victim of mob violence suspected of stealing chickens in Banjar Juwuk Legi, Batunya Village, Baturiti District, Tabanan Regency, to determine the exact cause of his death.

Kasubbid Penmas Bidhumas Polda Bali AKBP Rina Isriana Dewi said that the exhumation of the victim's body buried in Setra Sidetapa, Banjar District, Buleleng Regency, was carried out on Monday (27/7) as part of the investigation process after the Tabanan Police named five suspects.

"Today, the exhumation process of the victim will be carried out to find out the cause of death," said AKBP Rina as reported by ANTARA, Monday, July 27.

Ekshumas is a process of re-exhuming a grave to remove the body that has been buried for the purpose of investigation or forensic examination.

Rina explained that the exhumation process involved a team of investigators from the Tabanan Police and the Baturiti Police, while the forensic examination was carried out by a team of forensic doctors at the Prof. Ngoerah Denpasar Hospital led by dr. Nola Margareth.

The results of the exhumation will later become an important piece of evidence to determine the cause of death of the victim and complete the investigation file before the case is transferred to the next stage.

The case of the beating of KD started on Friday (24/7/2026) at around 01.30 Wita.

The victim was allegedly caught in the act of stealing chickens belonging to residents in Banjar Juwuk Legi. This action triggered the anger of residents who have been restless due to the rampant theft of chickens in the area.

The victim was then beaten by the crowd until he died at the scene. The crowd also burned the motorcycle used by the victim before the police arrived at the scene.

From the results of the investigation, the police found that the motorcycle that was burned by the crowd was allegedly a vehicle stolen in 2018.

The police also secured a number of evidence, including a chicken, sharp weapons, video footage, the victim's jacket, and a slingshot.

Investigators have examined 12 witnesses and through the title of the case have named five residents as suspects in the beating case that resulted in the victim's death.