The Dharmasthala mass burial case has taken a dramatic twist, raising questions about the credibility of sensational claims that shook Karnataka last month. Authorities have arrested CN Chinnayya, alias Chenna, the complainant who had initially alleged mass rapes and murders in a village near the temple town.
Chenna, previously referred to as the 'masked man' due to his concealed identity, had sought witness protection after presenting a skull at a police station in July and claiming involvement in burying hundreds of bodies, including women who were allegedly sexually assaulted. His shocking claims triggered a political firestorm, with the BJP accusing the Congress of attempting to defame Dharmasthala, while the Congress countered that the BJP was using the case for political mileage.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT), however, found Chenna&rsquo;s testimony inconsistent. &ldquo;During cross-questioning, it became evident that he had fabricated the entire story,&rdquo; an official said. Consequently, his witness protection was revoked and he was arrested for perjury. Visuals showed Chenna being taken for a medical checkup before his production in court.
In a related U-turn, Sujata Bhat, who had claimed her daughter Ananya Bhat, an alleged MBBS student, went missing in Dharmasthala, has retracted her statement. Speaking to a local YouTube channel, she said, &ldquo;Ananya never existed,&rdquo; adding that she had been under duress when making the earlier claim.
The case now appears to be unraveling, with sensational allegations proving to be false. Legal experts note that the arrests and retractions could help contain communal and political tensions that erupted around the temple town.
This development underscores the importance of meticulous verification in high-profile cases and warns against hasty media and political amplification of unverified claims.

Dharmasthala mass burial: Complainant arrested

Claims of mass murders unravel as police arrest whistleblower for perjury in Karnataka

Dharmasthala mass burial: Complainant arrested

Claims of mass murders unravel as police arrest whistleblower for perjury in Karnataka

August 23, 2025 | 18:09 IST