Dharmasthala case: SIT arrests complainant behind ‘mass grave’ claims for misleading investigators

In a dramatic twist to the Dharmasthala case, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) has arrested the complainant — known as the ‘mask man’ — for allegedly giving false information, according to Indian media reports.

Sources confirmed the arrest on Saturday, though an official statement from the SIT is still awaited.

According to sources, the complainant has been identified as C. S. Chinnaiah, also known as Chenna. He was interrogated for more than 15 hours before officers concluded that he had deliberately misled investigators.

SIT chief DGP Pronab Mohanty is also said to have personally questioned him.

Chinnaiah is expected to be produced before the Belthangady court, where the SIT will likely seek his police custody for further questioning.

The arrest comes weeks after the complainant made explosive claims on July 11, alleging that women and girls had been raped, murdered, and secretly buried in Dharmasthala. He said he was forced to bury the bodies and demanded exhumation in his presence.

He even handed over a human skull to the SIT, claiming it was proof from one of the alleged sites. His testimony prompted excavations at 17 different locations in the temple town, fuelling widespread speculation.

State Home Minister G. Parameshwara later confirmed that excavations led to the recovery of a male skeleton and several human bones.

“The complainant claimed there were bodies buried at 13 locations. At the sixth site, a male skeleton was found. At the 13th point, nothing was recovered. Additional bones were discovered at a separate spot,” the minister said earlier this month.

All recovered remains have been sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for analysis. Investigators are still awaiting test results to confirm their origin.

Sources revealed that during questioning, Chinnaiah admitted he was influenced by certain individuals to file false allegations and push the probe in a particular direction.

His arrest marks a turning point in the high-profile case, which has seen weeks of sensational claims and intense investigation. The SIT is expected to release an official statement soon.