Karnataka BJP demands Dharmasthala SIT report be made public
Synopsis
The Dharmasthala case has taken a sharp political turn: Karnataka BJP is demanding the SIT report be released publicly, while the man known as the 'mask man' now claims he was used in a ₹200 crore conspiracy to jail Dharmadhikari Veerendra Heggade — and has named actor Prakash Raj in his petition.
Key Takeaways
Karnataka BJP MLA V.
Sunil Kumar demanded the immediate public release of the SIT report on the Dharmasthala case on 12 June .
Vijayendra alleged a 'major conspiracy' to defame Dharmasthala Sri Manjunatheshwara Temple and sought a probe into alleged foreign involvement.
Accused Chinnayya ('mask man') claimed he was used in a conspiracy, alleging ₹200 crore was set aside to jail Dharmadhikari Veerendra Heggade .
Chinnayya's petition names actor Prakash Raj and claims he was promised ₹50 lakh if the plan succeeded.
Police indicated action is likely against activists who led the agitation and legal battle against the temple management.
Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) State General Secretary and senior MLA V. Sunil Kumar on Friday, 12 June demanded that the Karnataka government immediately release the report of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted to probe the Dharmasthala case. Speaking at the BJP state office in Bengaluru, Kumar said months had elapsed since the SIT was formed without any public disclosure of its findings.
Key Demands from the BJP
Addressing the media, Sunil Kumar alleged that the renowned Hindu pilgrimage centre of Dharmasthala was being needlessly defamed. He expressed serious concern over a statement reportedly made before a court by an accused person — allegedly part of a larger conspiracy — that had not been placed before the SIT.
'What was the SIT investigating? What is the conspiracy behind all this? These issues must be brought into the public domain and discussed openly,' Kumar said.
He also claimed the party had previously raised the matter in the Assembly, pointing to alleged links with Kerala and other states connected to the case.
BJP President Vijayendra Alleges Foreign Involvement
Earlier on the same day, Karnataka BJP President and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra alleged that a 'major conspiracy' had been hatched to tarnish the reputation of the revered Dharmasthala Sri Manjunatheshwara Temple in Mangaluru district and hurt the religious sentiments of Hindus. Vijayendra further sought a probe into the alleged involvement of foreign forces in the incident.
The Dharmasthala Skull Case: A Major Twist
The BJP's demands come amid a significant development in the ongoing Dharmasthala skull case. A man identified as Chinnayya — popularly known as the 'mask man' — who had earlier made allegations in the mass grave case, has now claimed he was used as part of a conspiracy to malign Dharmasthala. Police said on Friday that action is likely to be taken against activists who led the agitation and legal battle demanding action against the temple management.
Chinnayya has further alleged that ₹200 crore had reportedly been set aside to ensure that Dharmadhikari Veerendra Heggade was sent to jail. In his petition, he also named actor Prakash Raj, claiming activists had promised him ₹50 lakh if their plan succeeded. These allegations have not been independently verified.
Government's Position Under Scrutiny
Kumar invoked Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar's earlier Assembly remarks, in which Shivakumar had declared himself to be on the side of Dharmasthala, quoting the Kannada saying, 'Kaasu bidada Thimmappa, maatu bidada Manjunatha' (Thimmappa who never parts with money, Manjunatha who never parts with his word). Kumar questioned whether the government had lived up to that pledge, stating that those who defamed Dharmasthala should have been arrested.
With the SIT report still undisclosed and fresh allegations surfacing in court, pressure on the Congress-led Karnataka government to act transparently on the Dharmasthala case is set to intensify.
Point of View
However, is Chinnayya's reversal: if a key accuser now claims he was weaponised against Dharmasthala, the entire prosecutorial narrative around the skull case may unravel. The ₹200 crore and Prakash Raj allegations are unverified and explosive — mainstream coverage risks either amplifying them uncritically or dismissing them as BJP spin. The Karnataka government's credibility on this case hinges on whether it can demonstrate the SIT operated independently of political pressure, from either side.
NationPress
1 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Dharmasthala SIT case and why is the BJP demanding the report?
The SIT was constituted by the Karnataka government to probe the Dharmasthala case, which involves allegations related to a skull or mass grave discovery near the famous Hindu pilgrimage centre. The BJP's V. Sunil Kumar says months have passed without the report being made public and is demanding transparency on who is behind the alleged conspiracy.
Who is Chinnayya, the 'mask man', and what has he claimed?
Chinnayya, known as the 'mask man', was a key figure who earlier made allegations in the Dharmasthala mass grave case. He has now claimed he was used as part of a conspiracy to malign the temple, and has alleged that ₹200 crore was set aside to ensure Dharmadhikari Veerendra Heggade was jailed. These allegations are unverified.
Why has actor Prakash Raj been named in the Dharmasthala case?
According to Chinnayya's petition, activists who were part of the alleged conspiracy named Prakash Raj and reportedly promised Chinnayya ₹50 lakh if their plan succeeded. The claim is part of Chinnayya's broader allegation that he was manipulated. Prakash Raj has not responded to these claims as of the time of this report.
What action is likely following Chinnayya's new claims?
Police said on Friday that action is likely to be taken against activists who spearheaded the agitation and legal battle demanding action against the Dharmasthala temple management, following Chinnayya's sensational new allegations.
What is the Karnataka government's position on the Dharmasthala case?
Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar had earlier declared in the Assembly that he stood on the side of Dharmasthala. However, the BJP argues the government has not acted against those who allegedly defamed the temple, and that the SIT report's continued non-disclosure raises questions about the probe's independence.
