A Mangaluru court has extended SIT custody of complainant C N Chinnaiah, who alleged murders and secret burials in Dharmasthala, till September 6. Villagers have offered fresh inputs to guide investigators to suspected burial sites.
Mangaluru: A court in Mangaluru (Karnataka) on Wednesday extended the police custody of C N Chinnaiah, the man who recently made shocking claims of multiple murders, rapes, and secret burials in Dharmasthala over the past two decades. His custody has now been extended till September 6.
Chinnaiah was first arrested on August 23 by the Special Investigation Team (SIT), which is probing the serious allegations connected to the Dharmasthala case.
His earlier 12-day custody ended on Wednesday, after which he was produced before Judge Vijayendra H T at the Belthangady Additional Civil and First Class Magistrate Court at around 3 PM.
The judge ordered that he should remain in SIT custody till September 6.
Meanwhile, the SIT has also received fresh information from locals. Some villagers have come forward, claiming that they had personally witnessed burials in the area and are even ready to guide the investigation team to the exact spots.
In a written letter submitted to the SIT, local resident Tukaram Gowda stated that
“some villagers had seen bodies being buried discreetly in specific locations.”
Gowda further mentioned that
“these areas were deliberately chosen to keep the activity hiddewfrom public view.”
He added that the witnesses are ready to fully cooperate with the police.
“the witnesses are prepared to show the exact spots to the investigating officers,”
Gowda said in his statement.
He also urged the SIT to ensure that the case is investigated in a fair and unbiased manner.
“Gowda, representing the villagers, urged the authorities to conduct a fair investigation and assurec cooperation from locals. He emphasised that the truth could be unearthed if the SIT pursues the case without bias.”
The case has triggered a political and social controversy in Karnataka. Chinnaiah, who was arrested originally on charges of perjury, has claimed that over a period of time he had been involved in burying several bodies, including those of women who showed signs of sexual assault.
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The allegations indirectly point towards individuals linked with the administration of the famous Dharmasthala temple.
These serious claims have drawn mixed reactions. The BJP has strongly protested, saying that the temple is being wrongly targeted. On the other hand, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has cautioned that strict action will be taken if the complaint is proven false.
“Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar had also warned of action if the complaint was false.”
At the same time, Veerendra Heggade, the Dharmadhikari (custodian) of the temple, has welcomed the SIT probe.
“Veerendra Heggade, the Dharmadhikari or the custodlan of the temple too had welcomed the constitution of the SIT.”
The investigation is still in progress, and the SIT is expected to begin site verification soon with the help of villagers who have stepped forward. The extended custody is seen as an important step for the SIT to gather more evidence in this sensitive and high-profile case.
Background
The Dharmasthala case began when C N Chinnaiah, a man with a long association in the region, came forward with sensational claims that shook Karnataka. He alleged that for nearly two decades, several people, including women, were murdered in Dharmasthala and their bodies were secretly buried to cover up the crimes.
He further claimed that some of the deceased women showed signs of sexual assault before being killed.
Chinnaiah was not initially arrested for murder, but for perjury—giving false testimony in an earlier matter. However, after he revealed shocking details during interrogation, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) was set up to examine the allegations.
His statements implied that the crimes could be connected with influential individuals associated with the administration of the Dharmasthala temple, a revered and powerful institution in Karnataka.
The controversy immediately drew public and political attention. On one hand, opposition parties accused the government of shielding powerful interests; on the other, the ruling establishment cautioned against allowing unverified claims to tarnish the reputation of a centuries-old religious institution.
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The issue became even more sensitive because Dharmasthala is not just a temple town, but also a spiritual and cultural centre with enormous influence in Karnataka.
The matter took a serious turn when locals from nearby villages began supporting some of Chinnaiah’s claims, saying they had seen suspicious burials in the area. Their willingness to cooperate with investigators gave the case fresh momentum.
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