Whistleblower Held in Dharmasthala Burial Case, for false evidence. A former sanitation worker, initially known only as an anonymous complainant or “masked man”.
he arrested by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigating the alleged mass burial case in Dharmasthala. He has since been named as C. N. Chinnayya (also referred to as Chinnaiah or ‘Bheem’). His arrest stems from alleged fabrication of evidence and statements while acting as a complainant and witness.He is currently in police custody for a period of 10 to 12 days.
Whistleblower Held in Dharmasthala Burial Case What Led to His Arrest?
1.Hypocrisies in His Statements
During questioning, investigators discovered a number of discrepancies in his statements and supporting documents, all of which indicated that he was not leveling a valid allegation.
2.False Evidence
He was also charged with perjury, indicating that he had been dishonest in court with what he said. One of them is the skull that he produced as part of the evidence in the first trial in the court because it did not correlate to his claimed location on the burial site.
3.Limited Physical Verification
Out of numerous sites identified by him (13 or 17 spots, depending on the report), remains were found in only two locations, while the rest yielded no evidence of bodies.
Whistleblower Held in Dharmasthala Burial Case Background Summary (July 2025 to Present)
- Initial Allegations
In early July, the man, claiming to be a former sanitation worker at Dharmasthala temple (1995–2014), alleged that he was forced to bury hundreds of bodies—many of minors or showing signs of sexual assault and strangulation—under threat from temple authorities. - SIT Formation & Investigations
A SIT was formed on July 19, 2025 to probe his claims. Excavations began at the allegedly identified burial sites. Several digs were conducted, but remains were located only at a couple of them. - Evidence Found
Partial skeletons and a skull were recovered at some sites; yet the majority produced no traces, further fueling scepticism.
Whistleblower Held in Dharmasthala Burial Case Voices & Reactions-
- Allegations of Ex-Wife
on other side Whistleblower Held in Dharmasthala Burial Case because Rathnamma, his ex-wife publicly accused him as a habitual liar. She indicates that his doomsday-type statements were contrived – perhaps to his own financial gain or self-promotion.
Cught up by Chamberlains of Temple
Response Dharmadhikari Veerendra Heggade welcomed the arrest, saying this was the beginning of truth to emerge after making unfounded allegations. D.K. Shivakumar, Deputy CM of Karnataka also made it clear that it will be the case of justice, and not one of politics determining the investigation.
Investigation underway guarantees
Senior legal counsel A.S. Ponnanna assured of transparency and thoroughness, and the SIT as being free of conspiracy theories, and promising the SIT will arrive at the truth.
1.Digging up & Forensic results
13-Sites Intervened; Mixed Results SIT exhumed eleven of the thirteen burial sites proposed by the complainant. The most returned nothing–no bodies or remains discovered at nine of the points. One station yielded part of a skeleton, and another human skulls and bones Bürgi and others persisted in their attempts, but with little success, until at length, almost too late, it was found that in order to build willingly I must have an unspotted heart and the righteousness of faith, so that not I, it is true, but Christ in me may build.
Particular Findings Described
The investigators discovered 15 separated bone fragments at the sixth location at about a depth of three feet. These can be a male figure (identification is not confirmed yet)
In another place (called the fourteenth site in one account), more than 114 bones and a skull were retrieved; initial speculation is that they belonged to a male who may have been strangled, possibly by a red sari which was also found at the site.
Supplemental Evidence
One area where the investigators retrieved a PAN card and a debit card. A man in Nelamangala (Bengaluru rural district) died of jaundice and was cremated back at home.
2.Cour legal Processes & Actions
Gag Order / Media Restrictions
In the middle of July a gag order was issued to take down more than 8,000 links to discussion of the case online. This were since revoked in early August when the presiding judge recused himself after concern of conflict of interest.
Fake Evidence Arrest
On August 23, the SIT arrested the complainant- now known as C. N. Chinnayya- on count of perjury and giving of misleading or false evidence. His skull which was presented as evidence was forged.
Apaiserment Garde
Hinnayya will be sent back to 10-12 days of judicial custody to help further investigation, medical examination and court proceeding.
3.Backlash, Counterclaims &bro population-(449466), wider implications
Accusations that are not true according to reconciling ex-wife
His second ex-wife, Rathnamma, went on a televised rant that called Chinnayya a habitual liar, citing a long history of being dishonest including previously lying about employment in order to avoid paying spousal alimony. She states that Chinnayya did not talk of mass murders when he was with her and he must have created the story to enrich himself.
Political Miscarriage & Accountability Calls
Former Minister Araga Jnanendra asked the state government to apolgize publicly as the truth has been revealed and false allegation has dented the sanctity of Dharmasthala.
Executing Legal Advisor A. S. Ponnanna restated that an SIT will maintain transparency and will expose the truth. He labelled political elements as politicising the case.
4.Threads of Context & Increasing Research
Earlier Cases Reviewed
The proposed murder case of April 2010 in Dharmasthala, has been highlighted by an activist Jayanth T., who has contended that this case had been closed off prematurely, and the case has the potential of being re-investigated. He is now working positively with SIT and possible exhumation there as well can be envisaged.
Social Media and I Misinformation Guidance
Police were already acting on allegations of false information robotically produced about the case. Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara warned against the misinformation and advised people of legal consequences under the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS)
1.Digging/ Excavation Evidence
- Evidence Documentation (the Current SIT Priority)
The SIT has now moved to the documentation heavy approach. Each piece of bone, cloth, cards, or skulls are being tagged, photographed, geo-marked, and delivered to forensic labs to be tested through the means of DNA data and carbon dating. Indeed, with no new evidence to rely on, the credibility of the case now depends more on scientific verification as adoption by Chinnayya into the pro-tem but not the final order is not sacrosanct.
- Parcial Restos
In one of the pit together they found 15 bones which were supposed to belong to a single male skeleton.
Elsewhere, more than 100 pieces of bone along with a skull were identified – early forensics showed signs of strangulation (perhaps with a sari, which at the scene was retrieved).
The majority of other sites located by the whistleblower were vacant, which aroused suspicion.
- The way forward
The bones are being tested by forensic labs (in Bengaluru and Hyderabad) to determine:
- The age of the remains (old or recent)
- Sex and the cause of probable death
- DNA connects to any unidentified person records (where available).
2.Credibility / Personal Background of Whistle blower
Evidence Of Ex-Wife
Rathnamma, the ex-wife of Chinnayya has not been silent in media interactions:
She charged that he is a habitual liar who falsified documents, lied about his employment and even cheated courts to avoid alimony.
She said that there was no time that he talked about mass burials and temple murders in their marriage thereby implying that he must be making these claims afterward.
She stated that he was a person who was craving attention and perhaps money.
Political Reactions
Former minister Araga Jnanendra said: The truth is revealed. The government ought to apologize to its people who were the victims of these lies against Dharmasthala to have spread.”
In the meanwhile, some believe that SIT should continue digging until all allegations are verified by the side of the credibility of Chinnayya.
Things as they stand at Federal max energy
Scientific reports will determine whether this situation falls apart in a hoax or blows up in a real criminal investigation
The credibility of Chinnayya is ruined but forensic results (assuming it results to foul play) will still lend credence to parts of his story.
Political crevice: either way, one group of people would want closure and apology the other camp is out to dig deeper where there is the slightest chance that the truth still lies hidden under all the years of cloak and dagger secrecy.
conclusion
“The arrest of the so-called whistleblower has brought relief to authorities and reaffirmed the SIT’s commitment to truth through science, yet it also risks silencing genuine voices and leaving behind political rifts. While credibility has shifted from testimony to forensics, the partial remains already unearthed mean that unanswered questions still linger.”
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