In a development that could significantly alter the course of the Dharmasthala mass burial case, the very activists who initiated the complaint have approached the Karnataka High Court seeking to quash the First Information Report (FIR) registered based on their own allegations.
The petitioners—Girish Mattennavar, Mahesh Shetty (Thimmarodi), and Jayant T—have requested the court to nullify FIR No. 39/2025, which was filed under Section 211(A) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, at the Dharmastala Police Station. The case involves sensational allegations of mass burials, including the bodies of many women, in forested areas around the renowned temple town.
A Plea to Nullify the Case
The writ petition, filed through advocates, represents a stark reversal from the petitioners’ original position. In their plea, they have urged the High Court to:
- Quash the primary FIR and all subsequent notices issued by the Special Investigation Team (SIT), including a specific notice dated October 24, 2025.
- Stay all further proceedings in the case.
- Nullify the “anti-Dharmasthala conspiracy case” and a separate forgery case registered against the key initial complainant, a masked man named Chinnayya.
Notably, the police had earlier consolidated the allegations of unnatural deaths (the mass burials) and the counter-allegations of a criminal conspiracy into a single FIR.
Furthermore, the petitioners have also challenged the notices issued by the Special Investigation Team (SIT), which is probing the case, summoning them for questioning. They have requested the court to cancel these notices.
Shifting Stance on SIT Investigation
The petitioners’ stance on the SIT has undergone a notable shift. In their initial statements, they had expressed appreciation for the formation of the SIT and had even insisted that a special team investigate their claims. They had reportedly demanded that officer Pranav Mohanty be appointed as the head of the SIT.
However, in their current High Court petition, the individuals have expressed dissatisfaction with the SIT’s investigation. Critics of the petitioners allege that this is an “indirect petition to stop the SIT investigation” now that the probe is reaching its conclusion and they fear arrest.
The Dharmasthala conspiracy has now crossed all limits. Girish Mattennanavar and another individual, who had earlier made allegations against Dharmasthala and were part of this conspiracy, have now filed a petition before the High Court seeking to quash the FIR that was…
— Girish Bharadwaj (@Girishvhp) October 30, 2025
Context of the Original Complaint
The controversy began when Chinnayya submitted a complaint to the Dakshina Kannada Superintendent of Police, making the grave allegations. He was later arrested on charges of perjury, with police alleging he fabricated his claims. The petitioners, who were associated with the complaint, were subsequently questioned multiple times by the SIT, which has logged over 100 hours of interrogation.
The petitioners’ move comes at a critical juncture in the SIT’s investigation. Sources within the investigation team indicate that the probe has uncovered several inconsistencies in the initial claims made by the complainants. Investigators have also flagged what they describe as a campaign of “widespread misinformation” surrounding the case.
In their petition, the activists have argued that quashing the case is essential to serve the “ends of law and justice.” This marks a dramatic shift from their initial stance, where they had welcomed the formation of the SIT and demanded a thorough investigation.
The High Court’s decision on this petition is now highly anticipated, as it will determine whether the high-profile investigation, which has attracted significant public and media attention, will continue or be brought to an abrupt halt.
(Source: Kannada Asianet News & India Today)
Subscribe to our channels on WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram and YouTube to get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.