The Dharmasthala case has taken a dramatic turn as the Special Investigation Team (SIT) arrested the complainant who had alleged multiple murders, rapes, and secret burials in the temple town. This shocking development came after SIT officials, led by chief Pranab Mohanty, questioned the complainant extensively and found serious discrepancies in his statements and documents.

The case had attracted nationwide attention after a whistleblower, who claimed to have worked in Dharmasthala between 1995 and 2014, alleged that he was forced to bury or cremate the bodies of women and minors, many of whom bore signs of sexual assault. He even identified 15 possible burial sites where he claimed the bodies had been disposed of.

These grave allegations prompted the Karnataka government to form an SIT to probe the matter. Excavations were conducted across multiple locations in Dharmasthala, but no conclusive evidence of human remains was found. The credibility of the complainant came under scrutiny, eventually leading to his arrest.

Political Reactions

The arrest has triggered strong political reactions. Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar welcomed the SIT’s decision, stressing that justice and religion must not be mixed with politics. He remarked:
"I had faith from the beginning. Even the religious leaders welcomed the investigation. Action should be taken against those who did wrong. I am not for anyone; I am for justice and religion. Politics should not be done in religion."

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), however, has come down heavily on the Karnataka government. The party alleged that the entire episode was a conspiracy aimed at defaming Dharmasthala and hurting the sentiments of millions of devotees. State BJP president BY Vijayendra announced a statewide agitation titled ‘dharma yuddha’, starting Friday and continuing across all Assembly constituencies in the following week.

According to Vijayendra, the propaganda and social media campaigns around the case had deeply hurt devotees. The BJP also accused Congress leaders of being behind the conspiracy. Party MLA G Janardhana Reddy even alleged that Congress MP from Tamil Nadu, Sasikanth Senthil, was the “mastermind” of the misinformation campaign against Dharmasthala.

Response from Dharmasthala Priest

The allegations were firmly dismissed by Veerendra Heggade, the Dharmadhikari of the Dharmasthala Manjunatha Swamy Temple. He maintained that there was no truth in the accusations of murders, rapes, and burials and reiterated his faith in the SIT probe.

He also urged devotees to remain calm and assured that the temple would continue to uphold its legacy of service, spirituality, and social trust.

The Bigger Picture

The Dharmasthala controversy reflects a complex mix of faith, politics, and law enforcement. On one hand, it raised serious suspicions of crimes allegedly concealed over decades. On the other, the arrest of the complainant has shifted the narrative towards the possibility of fabricated charges and political conspiracy.

While the Congress government defends the SIT’s impartial investigation, the BJP has framed the issue as an attack on religious sentiments, vowing to fight back through mass mobilization. Meanwhile, religious leaders, particularly Veerendra Heggade, are focused on ensuring that the temple’s reputation is not tarnished by unverified claims.

The case has left devotees of Dharmasthala divided — some initially shaken by the allegations, while many others are now relieved that the probe revealed no substantial evidence. However, the political battle over the issue is far from over, as BJP’s ‘dharma yuddha’ campaign could escalate the confrontation between the ruling and opposition parties in Karnataka.

For now, the SIT’s arrest of the complainant marks a turning point in the Dharmasthala case, but the political and social ripples of the controversy are expected to continue in the weeks ahead.

The Upcoming IPOs in this week and coming weeks are Abril Paper Tech, Sneha Organics, Sugs Lloyd, Anlon Healthcare, NIS Management, Sattva Engineering Construction, Globtier Infotech, Current Infraprojects, Vikran Engineering.

The Current active IPO are Shivashrit Foods, Anondita Medicare, Classic Electrodes (India), ARC Insulation & Insulators, Mangal Electrical Industries, .

Start your Stock Market Journey and Apply in IPO by Opening Free Demat Account in Choice Broking FinX.

Join our Trading with CA Abhay Telegram Channel for regular Stock Market Trading and Investment Calls by CA Abhay Varn - SEBI Registered Research Analyst.