Dharmasthala case: SIT to submit final report to Belthangada court

Dharmasthala mass burial case chief investigating officer Special Investigation Team Superintendent of Police CA Simon and another SIT officer leaving the Belthangady court in Dakshina Kannada district on Wednesday. | Photo credit: Special arrangement

More than six months after the court’s order, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) submitted its final report in the Belthangady court on Wednesday regarding the perjury and offenses alleged against CN Chinna alias Chinnaiah, Mahesh Shetty Thimarody, Girish Mattennavar, T. Jayanth, Vittal Gowda and Sujatha Bhat.

On January 3, Additional Civil Judge and Judicial Magistrate First Class, Belthangady, TH Vijayendra directed the SIT to submit a final report to take cognizance of the perjury and other offenses alleged against Chinn and five other accused persons. The order was passed by the court on the basis of a 3,900-page preliminary report filed by the SIT on November 20, 2025 under Section 215 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Surakasha Sanhita (BNSS).

The team led by SIT Superintendent of Police CA Simon submitted the 7,005-page final report, which included the preliminary report, before Additional Civil Judge and Judicial Magistrate First Class, Belthangady, Shashank Nagendra Bhat on Wednesday afternoon. Along with the report, the SIT also submitted material items related to the report.

Prosecutor Divyaraj Hegde made preliminary arguments and sought time. The Belthangady court adjourned the case to August 29 for further arguments.

The court is yet to rule on an application filed by the Shri Kshetra Dharmasthala Temple on 31 December 2025 seeking leave to intervene in the proceedings by being treated as a victim.

SIT submits final report in Dharmasthala case

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Dharmasthala case submitted its final report and material evidence to the Belthangada court regarding the perjury and offenses alleged against CN Chinna alias Chinnaiah, Mahesh Shetty Thimarody, Girish Mattennavar, T. Jayanth, Vittal Gowda and Sujatha Bhat. | Video Credit: The Hindu

Background

After Chinnaiah’s arrest for filing a false complaint and false statement before the court regarding the mass burial of bodies in Dharmasthala, the SIT found that he had done so under pressure from activists Thimarody, Mattennavar, Jayanth and Vittala Gowda. After the four activists failed to appear before the SIT investigating officer for investigation, the SIT filed a preliminary report against Chinnaiah, the four activists and Sujath Bhat, who was accused of filing a false complaint that her daughter had gone missing in Dharmasthala.

The five were charged with offenses under Sections 227 (false evidence), 228 (making false evidence), 229, 230 (giving or fabricating false evidence with intent to convict of a capital offence), 231 (giving or fabricating false evidence with intent to obtain a life sentence3), false2 236 (false statement made in a statement enforceable by law as evidence), 240 (providing false information about an offence), 248 (false accusation of a crime with intent to injure) and 336 (forgery) BNS. The SIT said it was filing a preliminary report as the complainant Chinna was in judicial custody and there was a legal requirement for the SIT to file a report within 90 days of his arrest.

Chinna filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court on June 8 seeking to direct the SIT to submit a final report and take action against the conspirators named in the preliminary report. The High Court adjourned the case to July 21. He also filed a complaint with the SIT accusing the conspirators of threatening him and his family members after filing the case.

Published – 15 Jul 2026 20:51 IST