The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the “mass burial” allegations in Dharmasthala has said that Sujata Bhat, who claimed her daughter went missing during a college trip to the temple town, has admitted that her story was fabricated.
According to investigators, Sujata underwent two rounds of questioning. On the first day she was allowed to present her version, but during the second round the SIT confronted her with evidence contradicting her claims. Officials said she confessed to lying about two key points: her surname and the existence of a daughter named Ananya Bhat.
Her shifting accounts had drawn attention on regional television and social media platforms. She initially alleged that her daughter, a medical student, disappeared during a college trip to Dharmasthala. She later told a YouTuber that the daughter never existed, before again reversing herself by saying she had been pressured by a channel to deny the claim. The latest confession marks her third major turnaround in recent weeks.
Pattern of Deception
Sujata’s confession follows the recent arrest of another key figure in the case – CN Chinnaiah, alias Chennayya, the masked man whose dramatic allegations sparked the massive investigation. He appeared in public with a human skull and alleged that mass burials had taken place in Dharmasthala. The SIT later found that he had made false statements and arrested him on charges of perjury.
Investigators carried out extensive digging and searches following his allegations, but the results have been limited. More than 50 days into the probe, human remains have been recovered from only two locations near a river. Around 100 bone fragments were found, which forensic experts suggest may correspond to just one or two individuals rather than the large numbers claimed.
Chinnaiah’s former wife and associates had described him as a “habitual liar”, further weakening his testimony.
Despite the recent revelations about fabricated claims, Dharmasthala has been shadowed by mysterious disappearances for decades. The first recorded case dates back to 1987 when 17-year-old Padmalatha was found dead, with her family alleging rape and murder. The case was never solved. In 2012, another 17-year-old, Soujanya, was found raped and murdered a day after being declared missing.
Sources indicate that Sujata’s family may be involved in a property dispute with the temple administration, potentially providing motivation for the false allegations. Police are now working to determine the complete scope of the deception and what legal actions to pursue against those who provided false information.
Despite these setbacks, investigators emphasize that their work continues. The SIT remains committed to examining all credible evidence and following legitimate leads regarding any actual crimes that may have occurred in Dharmasthala.
(With inputs from NDTV)
Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.
