Dharmasthala Mystery: SIT Probes Case with Spot Mahazar

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing grave allegations of multiple rapes, murders, and burials in Dharmasthala over the past two decades escorted arrested witness-complainant C.N. Chinnayya to undisclosed locations for a spot mahazar on Saturday.

Police sources confirmed that Chinnayya, under tight security, was taken from Mangaluru around 6 a.m. to Bengaluru and other sites linked to his claims, including a location where he allegedly obtained a human skull. The SIT also seized documents during the exercise, though details remain undisclosed due to security concerns.

Chinnayya, arrested on charges of perjury, sparked controversy with claims of burying several bodies, including those of women showing signs of sexual assault, in Dharmasthala, implicating temple administrators. The allegations triggered protests from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which accused authorities of targeting the revered Shri Manjunatha Temple. Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar warned of strict action if the complaint was found false, emphasizing the need for a thorough probe.

Veerendra Heggade, the Dharmadhikari of the temple, welcomed the SIT’s formation, urging a transparent investigation to clear the temple’s name. The SIT’s mahazar, a process to verify claims through on-site inspections, aims to corroborate or refute Chinnayya’s statements. “The process was conducted early to ensure security. Details of locations and documents cannot be shared yet,” a source close to the investigation said.

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The case has stirred public outrage and political debate, with locals and devotees demanding clarity. The SIT is under pressure to expedite its findings, as the allegations threaten the reputation of Dharmasthala, a prominent spiritual and cultural center in Karnataka.

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