The Dharmasthala mass burial case has taken a dramatic twist with the arrest of complainant CN Chinnayya alias Chenna, who had earlier claimed to be a whistleblower in an alleged case of mass rapes and murders in Karnataka’s Dharmasthala village. Initially referred to as the masked man seeking witness protection, Chenna was arrested after the Special Investigation Team (SIT) concluded he had lied under oath. During detailed questioning, investigators found major discrepancies and revoked his protection before charging him with perjury.
Chenna first sparked controversy in July when he walked into a police station carrying a human skull, claiming it was evidence of mass burials of women who were allegedly assaulted and killed. He alleged that he was forced to help dispose of the bodies under threats. His shocking testimony led to a full-scale SIT probe and quickly became a political flashpoint. However, after weeks of investigation, authorities found his claims to be fabricated. Visuals on Saturday showed Chenna being taken for a medical checkup before his court appearance.
Adding to the confusion, another key witness, Sujata Bhat, initially claimed her daughter had gone missing in Dharmasthala but later admitted that “Ananya Bhat” never existed. She then backtracked again, stating she was pressured into making the denial, leaving the case further entangled in contradictory claims.
The developments have fueled political clashes, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accusing the Congress-led Karnataka government of promoting propaganda to malign the temple town of Dharmasthala. BJP leaders including state chief BY Vijayendra alleged a larger “anti-Hindutva conspiracy,” claiming leftist and communist groups were behind the false narrative. MLA Bharath Shetty questioned why an SIT probe was formed so quickly and suggested external funding was driving the false allegations.
Congress leaders, however, defended the SIT’s work. Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar stressed that the government had no political motive and was committed to ensuring justice. He said the Dharmasthala family itself supported the investigation and urged that religion not be politicized.
The Dharmasthala case, which began as a shocking tale of alleged mass rapes and murders, has now turned into a legal and political battlefield. With the complainant’s arrest and key witnesses discredited, the focus has shifted from the allegations themselves to the political narratives shaping the controversy, raising serious questions about misinformation, credibility, and political opportunism in sensitive cases tied to religious centers.
