SIT Confirms No Mass Graves in Dharmasthala, Focuses on Conspiracy Behind Hoax
SIT hunts conspiracy behind fake burial claims.
The Special Investigation Team probing mass burial allegations at Dharmasthala has hit a dead end on physical evidence, with forensic reports debunking claims of over 100 bodies, including raped and murdered women and minors. After excavating 18 sites flagged by whistleblower CN Chinnaniah, a former temple sanitation worker, the SIT recovered only scattered skeletal remains—none matching the sensational narrative. The FSL report on bones from Site 6 near Nethravathi ghat confirms they belong to an adult male of undetermined age, with no DNA for matching, directly contradicting Chinnaniah’s sworn court statement.
Chinnaniah, arrested for perjury, now admits the human skull he dramatically presented to police was handed to him by Vittala Gowda, uncle of 2012 rape-murder victim Soujanya. Another complainant, Sujatha Bhat, retracted her claim of a missing daughter “Ananya” from a 2003 Dharmasthala trip, confessing she was instigated by activists Girish Mattannavar and T Jayanth.
The SIT has issued CrPC 41A notices to five individuals—Mahesh Shetty Thimarodi, Jayanth, Mattannavar, Gowda, and Bhat—for questioning Monday, with arrests looming if they skip. “We’re shifting focus to conspiracy—who orchestrated this attack on Dharmasthala’s reputation?” a senior officer revealed.
The case erupted in July, riding the unresolved outrage over Soujanya’s brutal rape and murder near Ujire. Despite local police, CID, and CBI probes, prime accused Santhosh Rao was acquitted in 2023 for lack of evidence, a decision upheld by Karnataka High Court in 2024. Activists allegedly exploited this vacuum to launch the burial hoax, timing it with Soujanya justice campaigns. The SIT, led by DGP Pronab Mohanty, has sent five Banglegudde skulls for further FSL analysis while preparing a chargesheet on the perjury ring.
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Dakshina Kannada police denied permission for a planned protest supporting activist Thimarodi, citing an ongoing High Court writ petition. SP Dr Arun K warned of strict action against violations. Sources say the conspiracy probe will examine financial trails, social media coordination, and possible political motives to defame the revered Manjunatha Temple, a pilgrimage hub drawing 15 lakh devotees annually. With no mass graves, the real burial may be of the activists’ credibility.
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