In a major turn of events in the ongoing Dharmasthala case, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) has arrested the complainant, popularly known as the “mask man,” on charges of providing false information and misleading investigators. According to sources, the whistleblower, identified as CS Chinnaiah alias Chenna, was interrogated for over 15 hours before SIT officials concluded that he had fabricated evidence and manipulated the course of the probe. He is expected to be produced before the Belthangady court, where authorities are likely to seek his police custody for further questioning. The SIT has not yet issued an official statement regarding the arrest.

Sources revealed that Chinnaiah confessed to being lured by certain individuals into making serious allegations, including claims of mass rapes and murders, followed by secret burials in the temple town of Dharmasthala. His testimony had prompted large-scale excavations at 17 different sites, with SIT teams even recovering a male skeleton and several human bones from certain locations. The whistleblower had also submitted a skull to the SIT, claiming it was retrieved from one of the burial spots. Initially provided protection under the Witness Protection Act, he had been granted security and facilities, which police sources confirmed have now been revoked following his arrest.

The SIT’s findings have cast a shadow on the credibility of the case, which had sparked political debates and intense media coverage. State Home Minister G. Parameshwara earlier confirmed that human remains recovered from the sites were sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for analysis. With the complainant now in custody and accused of fabricating evidence, the investigation is expected to take a new direction. Authorities are probing whether a larger conspiracy was behind the whistleblower’s actions, and further arrests are not being ruled out as the case continues to unfold.