The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the chilling Dharmasthala multiple murders, rapes, and burials case has made a breakthrough, recovering “crucial evidence” during an investigation in Bengaluru on August 31, 2025. The SIT escorted the complainant, C.N. Chinnaiah, from Belthangady in Dakshina Kannada district to Bengaluru for spot inspections, unearthing documents, digital records, and other materials that could shed light on the disturbing allegations surrounding the case. This development marks a pivotal moment in a case that has gripped Karnataka with its shocking claims and sparked intense public and political debate.
Chinnaiah, a former sanitation worker at the Dharmasthala Manjunatha Swamy Temple, was arrested on August 23 for perjury after inconsistencies were found in his claims of burying hundreds of bodies, including those of women and minors allegedly raped and murdered, over two decades. Despite his arrest, Chinnaiah cooperated with the SIT, guiding investigators to key locations in Bengaluru, including a service apartment in Vidyaranyapura where he claimed meetings with associates took place. The team seized bank transactions, property records, and communication logs, which are expected to corroborate witness statements and timelines, providing critical insights into the case’s complex web of allegations.
The investigation also revisited a human skull Chinnaiah had previously submitted in Belthangady, which he claimed was evidence of a female victim’s burial. Forensic analysis later revealed the remains belonged to a man, contributing to his perjury charges. This skull, reportedly handed to him in Bengaluru, remains a focal point of the probe, with the SIT cross-verifying details through forensic and technical evidence. The team’s mahazar proceedings (spot inspections) covered multiple sites where Chinnaiah allegedly stayed or interacted with others, meticulously documenting his claims for further scrutiny.
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The SIT’s efforts extend beyond Bengaluru, with prior exhumations conducted along the Netravathi River in Dharmasthala, where skeletal remains were found at two of the 13 sites identified by Chinnaiah. These findings, though limited, have fueled public outrage and demands for justice, particularly given the case’s implications against the temple’s influential administrators, led by Veerendra Heggade. Heggade has dismissed the allegations as “baseless” and welcomed the SIT probe, expressing confidence that the truth will prevail. Meanwhile, the Karnataka BJP has called for a National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe, alleging a “conspiracy” with “foreign funding” targeting the temple.
As the SIT prepares to submit a detailed progress report to the court next week, Chinnaiah remains in custody for further questioning. Additional searches may follow based on new leads, with the investigation under pressure to resolve the case’s many contradictions. The controversy, initially sparked by Chinnaiah’s claims on July 3, 2025, has reignited unresolved cases like the 2012 rape and murder of 17-year-old Sowjanya, amplifying calls for transparency and justice in a town revered as a spiritual hub. With the SIT’s latest findings, the Dharmasthala case continues to unravel, raising questions about accountability and the dark secrets that may lie beneath the temple town’s serene facade.
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