Beltangady, August 23, 2025 – The Beltangady court, on Saturday, August 23, 2025, ordered the anonymous complainant in the Dharmasthala case, identified as Chinnayya, to be placed in Special Investigation Team (SIT) custody for 10 days for further questioning. The complainant had claimed that numerous bodies, primarily of women and girls, were buried in Dharmasthala between 1994 and 2014, triggering a high-profile investigation led by senior officer Pranav Mohanty since July 20, 2025.
The case, which has unfolded over the past two months, took a significant turn with this custody order. SIT sources indicate that inconsistencies and contradictions in the complainant’s statements, particularly regarding the alleged discovery of skulls, led to his detention. The complainant’s protection under the Witness Protection Act was revoked by the Mangaluru competent authority on August 22, 2025, after he retracted parts of his testimony and failed to provide verifiable details about burial sites. Excavations at 17 locations yielded only minor bone fragments, which forensic analysis could not link to the alleged crimes.
The SIT, acting on credible information, summoned the complainant for questioning on August 22 and arrested him the following morning. After a medical examination at Beltangady Government Hospital, he was produced before the court at 11:00 AM, which granted 10 days of custody to probe the discrepancies and potential perjury. A new FIR has been filed under Sections 209, 227, and 229 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for false information, fraud, and obstructing investigation.
Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, addressing the media, emphasized the government’s commitment to justice, stating, “We stand for justice, not sides. The SIT’s probe will ensure action against the guilty.” The case has sparked political debate, with Congress leaders like Belur Gopalakrishna demanding strict action against misinformation, while BJP leaders have been accused of politicizing the issue.
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