Dharmasthala mass burial case: SIT files 7,005-page final report in Belthangady court
Synopsis
After years of investigation, the SIT probing the Dharmasthala mass burial case has placed a 7,005-page final report — spanning 12 volumes, 255 witness statements, and a 4TB hard disk of evidence — before a Belthangady court. The submission closes a probe that began with one man's claim of being forced to bury unidentified bodies near a prominent Karnataka temple town.
Key Takeaways
The SIT submitted a 7,005-page final report in the Dharmasthala mass burial case before the Belthangady court on 15 July 2025 .
The report spans 12 volumes and includes statements from 255 witnesses , FSL reports, and a 4TB hard disk of video-recorded evidence.
Chinnayya , referred to as the 'mask man', appeared before the court along with his wife.
The final report incorporates the earlier 3,923-page perjury report filed under Section 215 of the BNS , plus an additional 3,082 pages .
The Belthangady court had previously rejected the standalone perjury report and directed the SIT to file a comprehensive final report.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged Dharmasthala mass burial case submitted its 7,005-page final report before a court in Belthangady, Karnataka, on Wednesday, 15 July 2025, marking the formal conclusion of one of the state's most closely watched criminal investigations. The voluminous dossier was placed before Additional Civil Judge Shashank Nagendra Bhat at approximately 3 pm.
Scale of the Investigation
The final report, compiled across 12 volumes, contains statements from 255 witnesses, forensic science laboratory (FSL) reports, and a range of corroborating documents gathered over the course of the probe. The SIT additionally submitted a 4TB hard disk carrying video-recorded witness statements — an indication of the sheer evidentiary volume accumulated during the inquiry.
Physical evidence produced before the court included skeletal remains, bones, mobile phones, and other items that had been dispatched for forensic examination. All materials were returned to the court after the completion of testing.
Key Accused Appear Before Court
C.N. Chinnayya, widely referred to as the 'mask man' in the case and identified as a key accused, appeared before the court along with his wife. SIT Superintendent of Police C.A. Simon, along with Inspector Kusumadhara, Inspector Manjunath, and other members of the investigating team, were also present during the submission.
Background: How the Case Unfolded
The Dharmasthala mass burial case centres on allegations that several unidentified bodies were clandestinely buried in and around Dharmasthala, a prominent temple town in Dakshina Kannada district, over a span of years. The controversy erupted after Chinnayya claimed he had been coerced into participating in the disposal and burial of bodies at multiple locations in the area. His disclosures triggered widespread public debate and prompted the Karnataka government to constitute the SIT.
This comes amid sustained scrutiny of the case by civil society groups and political parties, who have demanded full transparency in the findings.
From Perjury Report to Final Submission
The path to Wednesday's submission was not straightforward. On 20 November 2025, the SIT had filed a 3,923-page perjury report under Section 215 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against six individuals — C.N. Chinnayya, Mahesh Shetty Timarodi, Girish Mattannavar, Jayanth T., Vittal Gowda, and Sujatha Bhat. The Belthangady court, however, declined to accept the perjury report and directed the SIT to instead file a comprehensive final report.
The report submitted on Wednesday incorporates that earlier 3,923-page perjury report alongside an additional 3,082 pages, bringing the combined total to 7,005 pages.
What Happens Next
With the final report now before the court, the next phase will involve judicial scrutiny of the evidence and a determination on charges. The case has drawn sustained attention across Karnataka, and the court's response to the SIT's findings is expected to shape the trajectory of the trial proceedings in the months ahead.
Point of View
005-page report is not merely a procedural milestone — it signals the scale of what investigators say they uncovered in a temple town that had no prior association with such allegations. The case rests heavily on the testimony of a single original whistleblower, C.N. Chinnayya, whose credibility the perjury report itself sought to challenge — a rare internal contradiction that the court must now untangle. The Belthangady court's earlier refusal to accept the perjury report as a standalone filing adds a layer of judicial caution that will define how charges are framed. Whether the forensic evidence in those 12 volumes independently corroborates Chinnayya's account, or whether the prosecution leans on witness testimony, will be the pivotal question when trial proceedings begin.
NationPress
15 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Dharmasthala mass burial case?
The Dharmasthala mass burial case involves allegations that several unidentified bodies were secretly buried in and around Dharmasthala, a prominent temple town in Karnataka's Dakshina Kannada district, over a period of years. The case came to light after C.N. Chinnayya claimed he was coerced into participating in the disposal of bodies, prompting the Karnataka government to form a Special Investigation Team.
What does the SIT's 7,005-page final report contain?
The report, compiled in 12 volumes, includes statements from 255 witnesses, forensic science laboratory reports, a 4TB hard disk of video-recorded witness statements, and physical evidence such as skeletal remains, bones, and mobile phones. It also incorporates the earlier 3,923-page perjury report filed in November 2025.
Who is C.N. Chinnayya and why is he called the 'mask man'?
C.N. Chinnayya is identified as a key accused and the original whistleblower in the case, popularly referred to as the 'mask man' due to his masked appearances during public disclosures. He appeared before the Belthangady court on 15 July 2025 alongside his wife during the submission of the final report.
Why did the SIT file a perjury report before the final report?
On 20 November 2025, the SIT filed a 3,923-page perjury report under Section 215 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita against six accused, including Chinnayya, alleging false statements. The Belthangady court declined to accept it as a standalone submission and directed the SIT to file a comprehensive final report instead, which was done on 15 July 2025.
What happens next in the Dharmasthala mass burial case?
With the 7,005-page final report now before the Belthangady court, the next stage involves judicial review of the evidence and determination of charges against the accused. The court's response to the SIT's findings is expected to set the course for formal trial proceedings.
