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Dharmasthala mass burial case complainant arrested for perjury
23 Aug 2025

The complainant in the alleged Dharmasthala "mass burial" case, CN Chinnayya alias Chenna, has been arrested for perjury. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) found his claims to be false and fabricated.

Chenna had earlier sought protection as a witness in the alleged crimes but was later found lying during cross-questioning by the SIT.

He is now being taken for a medical checkup before being produced in court.

Missing girl claim retracted
Statement retraction

In a separate development, Sujata Bhat has retracted her claim that her daughter had gone missing in Dharmasthala.

She initially claimed her daughter Ananya Bhat was an MBBS student who went missing, but later told a local YouTube channel that Ananya never existed.

Bhat has now claimed she was under duress to make such statements.

Controversy over mass burial claims
Case background

The controversy began in July when Chenna entered a police station with a skull and claimed he helped bury hundreds of bodies in Dakshin Kannada district, including young women who were allegedly sexually assaulted.

He had confessed to being threatened if he refused to cooperate.

The case has become politically charged, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accusing the Congress of defaming Dharmasthala and using it for political gain.

BJP accuses Congress of staging drama
Political fallout

BJP MLA Bharath Shetty has accused the Congress government of staging a drama to defame Dharmasthala.

He alleged that Chenna and Bhat were following instructions from others and alleged heavy funding behind these false claims.

Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar defended the investigation, saying it is ongoing and action will be taken against anyone found wrong.