Key Highlights:
- Dharmasthala whistleblower arrested on August 23 after providing false skeletal remains and contradictory statements to SIT investigators
- Forensic analysis revealed the produced skull was male, not female as initially claimed, and likely originated from a laboratory
- Karnataka’s forensic infrastructure receives major government boost with ₹2,254 crore investment to handle increasing crime investigation demands
Opening Overview
The Dharmasthala mass burial investigation took a shocking turn on August 23, 2025, when the Special Investigation Team (SIT) arrested the primary whistleblower in the Dharmasthala case on charges of perjury and fabricating false evidence. The arrest came barely 24 hours after the former sanitation worker recorded his statement before SIT chief Pranab Mohanty, fundamentally altering the trajectory of the high-profile Dharmasthala case that has gripped Karnataka.
The Dharmasthala whistleblower, identified as CN Chinnayya alias Chenna, had initially approached authorities in July claiming he was forced to bury multiple bodies of women and children between 1995 and 2014 in the temple town. His Dharmasthala allegations had prompted widespread political attention and the formation of the SIT, making his subsequent arrest a dramatic reversal that raises serious questions about the investigation’s credibility. The Dharmasthala case represents one of Karnataka’s most complex forensic investigations, occurring at a time when the state has registered 214,234 cognizable crimes in 2023, marking an 18.53% increase over the previous year.
Dharmasthala whistleblower arrested by SIT for perjury, fake evidencehttps://t.co/1N4FPSsBcg
— Shivani Kava/ಶಿವಾನಿ (@kavashivani) August 23, 2025
Forensic Evidence Contradictions Expose Dharmasthala Allegations as False
The Dharmasthala whistleblower’s arrest stemmed from significant contradictions between his statements and forensic analysis findings. On July 11, he had presented skeletal remains to investigators, claiming they belonged to a female victim he had exhumed himself from Dharmasthala. However, forensic science laboratory (FSL) examination revealed the remains were actually male, directly contradicting his initial claims about the Dharmasthala burials.
- SIT sources indicate the skull presented was fabricated evidence, likely obtained from a laboratory rather than an actual Dharmasthala burial site
- Forensic analysis conclusively determined the remains were male, contradicting the whistleblower’s testimony about female victims in Dharmasthala
- Investigation revealed discrepancies between his magistrate statement claiming all Dharmasthala burials were illegal and later admissions of legal post-mortem burials
- The witness protection scheme covering the Dharmasthala complainant was withdrawn on Friday night before his formal arrest
According to SIT officers investigating the Dharmasthala case, the whistleblower had told a magistrate that all burials he conducted were illegal, but later modified his statement to investigators, acknowledging that most were legal post-mortem burials with only “a few illegal ones”. This contradiction constituted perjury under Section 229 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which prescribes imprisonment up to seven years for false evidence given in judicial proceedings.
The Dharmasthala investigation’s forensic components highlight India’s evolving capabilities in criminal investigations. Under the new Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam 2023, forensic investigation becomes mandatory for offences involving punishment of seven years or more. This legislation has prompted significant infrastructure investment, with the government approving the National Forensic Infrastructure Enhancement Scheme worth ₹2,254.43 crore from 2024-25 to 2028-29.
Ground Investigation in Dharmasthala Yields Limited Physical Evidence
Despite extensive excavation work across 17 identified locations in Dharmasthala, the SIT’s physical findings remain sparse, raising questions about the scope of the alleged crimes. Investigators have recovered skeletal remains at only two spots in Dharmasthala: complete remains at Spot No. 6 near the Netravati river bathing ghat and additional human bones beneath a tree near Spot No. 11.
- Excavations conducted at 17 different sites in Dharmasthala based on the whistleblower’s directions
- Human remains discovered at only two Dharmasthala locations despite claims of 70-80 buried bodies
- Soil samples from identified Dharmasthala spots sent for chemical and forensic testing to detect potential presence of additional human remains
- Advanced international forensic techniques including aspartic amino acid racemization being considered for the first time in India for the Dharmasthala case
The limited physical evidence from Dharmasthala contrasts sharply with the whistleblower’s initial claims of having buried 70-80 bodies over nearly two decades in the temple town. SIT officials noted that out of 15 suspected burial spots identified by the complainant in Dharmasthala, skeletal remains were found at only one location during initial searches.
Karnataka’s forensic infrastructure is undergoing significant modernization to handle such complex investigations like the Dharmasthala case. The state benefits from India’s expanding forensic network, which now includes 32 State Forensic Science Laboratories, 106 Regional Forensic Science Laboratories, and 552 Mobile Forensic Science Vehicles nationwide. Additionally, projects worth ₹245.29 crore have been approved under the Nirbhaya Fund for strengthening DNA analysis and cyber forensic capacities in state laboratories.
The Dharmasthala investigation represents a landmark case for advanced forensic testing in India. The SIT is considering employing international forensic techniques including infrared spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy to determine bone calcium content and establish burial timelines for the Dharmasthala evidence. If implemented, these tests would mark the first instance of such advanced procedures being used in a criminal investigation in the country.
[Crime Statistics Table Chart]
Political Implications and Contradictory Testimonies Surrounding Dharmasthala
The Dharmasthala case has evolved into a significant political flashpoint, with both Congress and BJP leaders rallying around different positions regarding the temple town’s reputation. Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has repeatedly characterized the Dharmasthala allegations as a conspiracy to tarnish the temple’s image, warning that those responsible would face punishment.
- Congress and BJP leaders have organized protest marches and solidarity speeches supporting Veerendra Heggade amid the Dharmasthala controversy
- Another complainant, Sujatha Bhat, has made contradictory statements about her alleged missing daughter Ananya Bhat in connection with Dharmasthala
- Political tensions heightened as parties accused each other of using the Dharmasthala case for electoral advantage
- The Karnataka Home Minister indicated legal action could be taken if SIT findings prove Dharmasthala allegations false
The political dimensions of the Dharmasthala case intensified when Sujatha Bhat, another complainant in the case, appeared before media making contradictory statements about her daughter Ananya Bhat’s alleged connection to Dharmasthala. She initially claimed her MBBS student daughter had gone missing in Dharmasthala, later retracted the statement saying Ananya never existed, and subsequently claimed she was under duress when making the retraction.
Karnataka’s crime statistics provide context for the investigation’s significance. The state registered 214,234 total cognizable crimes in 2023, representing an 18.53% increase over 2022’s 180,742 cases. This included 148,648 Indian Penal Code crimes (12.90% increase) and 65,586 Special and Local Laws crimes (27.89% increase), reflecting the growing investigative burden on state agencies handling cases like the Dharmasthala probe.
The forensic infrastructure supporting investigations continues expanding under government initiatives. India now operates seven Central Forensic Science Laboratories, with in-principle approval for an eighth facility in Jammu requiring ₹99.9 crore investment. The National Forensic Sciences University has established campuses across multiple states, including Karnataka’s Dharwad campus, to address the growing demand for trained forensic professionals capable of handling complex cases.
Closing Assessment
The arrest of the Dharmasthala whistleblower represents a dramatic reversal in one of Karnataka’s most closely watched criminal investigations, highlighting both the complexities of forensic evidence evaluation and the political sensitivities surrounding religious institutions. The Dharmasthala case underscores the critical importance of rigorous forensic analysis in contemporary criminal investigations, particularly as India implements mandatory forensic procedures for serious crimes under new criminal laws.
The investigation’s trajectory from sensational allegations to perjury charges demonstrates the evolving sophistication of India’s criminal justice system. With Karnataka considering advanced international forensic techniques never before used in Indian criminal investigations, the Dharmasthala case may establish important precedents for future complex investigations. The government’s substantial investment in forensic infrastructure, totaling over ₹2,254 crore nationally, positions India to handle increasingly complex criminal cases with greater scientific rigor.
The political ramifications extend beyond the immediate investigation, touching on broader questions of religious institution credibility and the responsible use of criminal allegations in public discourse. As the investigation continues with advanced forensic testing and soil analysis, the case serves as a crucial test of India’s modernized forensic capabilities and commitment to evidence-based criminal justice.
