The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has filed its final report in the Dharmasthala mass burial case, implicating several individuals in perjury and conspiracy. The court has scheduled further arguments for August 29.

Key Takeaways

  • SIT filed a comprehensive 7,005-page final report and physical evidence in the Belthangady court.
  • Six individuals, including C.N. Chinna and Mahesh Shetty Thimarody, face allegations of perjury and conspiracy.
  • The investigation revealed that false claims of mass burials were made under external pressure.
  • The Dharmasthala Temple has moved an application to be impleaded as a victim in the proceedings.

In a significant development regarding the high-profile Dharmasthala mass burial case, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) submitted its final report before the Belthangady court on Wednesday. Led by Superintendent of Police C.A. Simon, the SIT presented a massive 7,005-page document encompassing the preliminary findings and critical material evidence to the Additional Civil Judge and Judicial Magistrate First Class.

The Core of the Allegations

The investigation centers on allegations of perjury and criminal conspiracy against C.N. Chinna (alias Chinnaiah), Mahesh Shetty Thimarody, Girish Mattennavar, T. Jayanth, Vittal Gowda, and Sujatha Bhat. The SIT's probe established that Chinnaiah had provided false statements regarding the alleged mass burial of bodies in Dharmasthala, acting under intense pressure from several activists. This fabrication was intended to mislead the judiciary and create public unrest.

Legal Framework and Charges

The accused are facing a litany of charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). These include Section 227 (giving false evidence), Section 228 (fabricating false evidence), and various other sections related to providing false information to procure convictions for capital offenses. The SIT emphasized that the preliminary report was filed within the mandatory 90-day window following Chinnaiah's arrest to ensure legal compliance under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).

Temple Intervention and Future Proceedings

Adding a layer of complexity to the legal battle, the Shri Kshetra Dharmasthala Temple has filed an application seeking to be impleaded in the proceedings as a victim of the misinformation campaign. The court is yet to rule on this application. Following preliminary arguments by Prosecutor Divyaraj Hegde, the court has adjourned the matter to August 29 for further arguments, marking a critical juncture in this long-running investigation.