Synnopsis: Dharmasthala controversy deepens as whistleblower arrested for presenting a fake skull in Karnataka’s mass burial case, sparking political clashes between Congress and BJP.
By Qalam Times News Network | Bengaluru | August 23, 2025
Whistleblower Turns Accused
The Dharmasthala controversy has taken a dramatic turn with the arrest of a former sanitation worker who once appeared to be a whistleblower. Identified as C.N. Chinnaiah alias Chenna, he had alleged that between 1995 and 2014, he was forced by temple authorities to bury nearly 70–80 bodies, many of them women and minors showing signs of abuse. Initially hailed as a key witness, he is now accused of submitting false testimony and presenting a fake skull as evidence.
The Mass Burial Allegations
In July 2025, Chenna lodged a complaint at the Dharmasthala police station, claiming he was ordered by temple management to secretly dispose of bodies. He even identified 15 alleged burial sites and handed over a skull and bones as proof. However, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe later revealed the skull to be counterfeit and noted inconsistencies in his statements. After prolonged questioning, Chenna was arrested on Saturday morning and is expected to be produced before a magistrate in Beltangady.
So far, SIT teams have unearthed skeletal remains of only one male at site number six, while no human traces were found at the other identified spots. Forensic reports are awaited.
Political Firestorm Between Congress and BJP
The Dharmasthala controversy has triggered a fierce political storm in Karnataka. The BJP, which shares long-standing ties with the temple’s managing Jain Heggade family, has accused the ruling Congress of orchestrating a smear campaign. BJP spokesperson G.S. Prashanth dismissed the allegations as a “Congress toolkit,” while former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa called the charges baseless.
Congress, however, maintains that the SIT probe was necessary to uncover the truth. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stated earlier that the government had no hesitation in authorizing a full investigation once the police recommended it.
Allegations of Foreign Funding and Political Motives
BJP leaders have gone further, alleging that progressive groups, left-wing activists, and so-called urban Naxals pressured the government into ordering the SIT inquiry. Rajya Sabha MP Kota Srinivas Poojary even urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to involve the Enforcement Directorate (ED), claiming that foreign funds were being used to malign Dharmasthala’s reputation.
A Temple in Spotlight Before
Dharmasthala, a major pilgrimage center in Karnataka, has faced controversies before. The infamous 2012 Sowjanya rape and murder case cast a long shadow on the temple’s credibility, though no convictions followed. Adding to suspicion, RTI disclosures revealed that Beltangady police had destroyed unnatural death records between 2000 and 2015, raising further doubts about institutional transparency.
Unanswered Questions
The whistleblower’s arrest has left many wondering whether this was a fabricated conspiracy or a silenced truth. The Dharmasthala controversy now straddles both spiritual and political spheres, leaving Karnataka sharply divided. Much depends on the forensic findings, which could either validate suspicions or bury the case alongside past unresolved scandals like Sowjanya’s.
For now, the SIT continues its probe, while the Dharmasthala controversy remains a flashpoint between faith, politics, and justice.
