Dharmasthala 'Mass Burial' Complainant Arrested By SIT In Major Twist

The SIT arrested the original complainant in the Dharmasthala case, a former sanitation worker, for making false allegations of murders, rapes, and secret burials.

The masked man identified sites which were excavated in Dharmasthala.

Source : PTI

In a major development in the Dharmasthala case, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) has arrested the original complainant, a former sanitation worker, whose allegations of murders, rapes, and clandestine burials spanning two decades had set off a statewide probe.

Dharmasthala 'Mass Murder' Whistleblower Arrested

According to official sources quoted by PTI, the complainant—whose identity has been withheld—was taken into custody as part of the ongoing investigation.

Sources have identified the complainant as CS Chinnaiah, also known as Chenna. He is likely to be presented before the Belthangady court shortly, where investigators are expected to seek his custody for further questioning. SIT Chief, DGP Pronab Mohanty, has also examined him.

According to sources, Chinnaiah admitted that he was influenced by certain people to level allegations and push for a particular line of investigation.

Acting on his claims, officials had earlier conducted excavations at 17 sites in the temple town of Dharmasthala.

On July 11, Chinnaiah had stated that he was forced to bury the bodies of women and girls who were allegedly raped and murdered in Dharmasthala, and his statement was formally recorded.

Complainant who alleged multiple murders, rapes, burials in Dharmasthala, arrested by SIT, say official sources

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 23, 2025

The individual had earlier alleged large-scale criminal activities in and around Dharmasthala, leading the Karnataka government to constitute a special team to probe the matter.

The allegations gained widespread attention after YouTuber Sameer MD circulated an AI-generated video that amplified the claims, fueling public debate and political controversy.