Chinnaiah, popularly known as the “mask man” in the alleged Dharmasthala mass murder case, has filed a fresh police complaint claiming that his life is under threat. The complaint was lodged at the Belthangady police station in Mangaluru district, where he has sought immediate police protection for himself and his wife, officials confirmed on Saturday.

In his complaint, Chinnaiah has named five individuals, including activists Mahesh Shetty Thimarody, Girish Mattennanavar, Vittal Gowda, Jayanth, and YouTuber M.D. Sameer. He alleged that these individuals have been issuing threats following recent developments in the case. Police authorities said the matter is under review and further details are awaited.

Chinnaiah was earlier arrested by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) on August 23 for allegedly misleading investigators in the Dharmasthala case. After extensive interrogation, the SIT concluded that he had provided false information, leading to his arrest. He was subsequently released on bail, following which the present complaint was filed.

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The case first drew statewide attention on July 11, when Chinnaiah, then an unidentified complainant, appeared before a Mangaluru court and made explosive claims. He alleged that he had been forced to bury the bodies of women and girls who were raped and murdered in Dharmasthala. He further claimed the bodies bore signs of sexual assault and requested exhumation under judicial supervision.

These allegations sent shockwaves across Karnataka and triggered demands from activists and even a retired Supreme Court judge for a court-monitored SIT probe. Chinnaiah had also submitted a skull, which he claimed was recovered from one of the burial sites, to investigators, strengthening the public focus on the case at the time.

Following his initial claims, Chinnaiah was granted protection under the Witness Protection Act. However, police sources have now confirmed that this protection has been withdrawn after the SIT concluded he had misled authorities. His latest plea for police protection marks another dramatic turn in the controversial and closely watched Dharmasthala case.

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