The Special Investigation Team (SIT) conducted a high-stakes search at the residence of activist Mahesh Shetty Thimarody in Ujire, Mangaluru, on August 26, 2025. The operation, backed by a search warrant from the Belthangady court, aimed to uncover evidence linked to allegations of illegal body burials tied to the revered Dharmasthala temple. Thimarody, a vocal figure in the Justice for Sowjanya campaign, is currently out on bail after his arrest for alleged derogatory remarks against BJP National General Secretary B.L. Santhosh.

The SIT was accompanied by C.N. Chinnaiah, a key accused arrested for perjury, who reportedly stayed at Thimarody’s home for two months. Chinnaiah’s explosive claims of burying numerous bodies, including those of women showing signs of sexual assault, have sparked outrage and implicated temple administrators. The allegations have fueled a tense standoff, with the BJP protesting against what they call baseless accusations targeting the temple’s reputation. Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar warned of strict action if the claims prove false, while Dharmadhikari Veerendra Heggade welcomed the SIT probe to clear the air.

The search follows heightened scrutiny after Thimarody’s earlier arrest on August 21, 2025, when Udupi police detained him amid protests by supporters chanting “Justice for Sowjanya.” The activist, known for demanding a CBI inquiry into 462 unnatural deaths in Dharmasthala over a decade, has also faced accusations of spreading provocative content alongside activists Girish Mattannavar and Puneeth Kerehalli. Meanwhile, the SIT continues its broader investigation, excavating sites along the Nethravathi river based on a whistleblower’s claims, with skeletal remains found at one location.

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As the probe deepens, the controversy has drawn significant attention, with local police establishing a dedicated station at Belthangady to handle case-related complaints. The Dharmasthala case, marred by allegations of cover-ups and powerful influences, remains a flashpoint, with activists and temple supporters clashing amid ongoing investigations.

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