Chinnaiah Lodges SIT Complaint Over Witness Intimidation in Dharmasthala Case
Chinnaiah, a petitioner in the ongoing Dharmasthala case, has lodged a formal complaint with the Special Investigation Team in Mangaluru, alleging that he and his relatives are being harassed and intimidated to influence the progress of the judicial investigation.
Highlights
- •Chinnaiah filed a formal complaint with the SIT alleging intimidation following his High Court petition regarding the Dharmasthala case.
- •The complainant reported that his relatives were contacted by individuals seeking sensitive information and pressuring him to withdraw his legal action.
- •Named parties in the petition include Mahesh Shetty Timarody, Girish Mattannavar, Vittal Gowda, Jayanth T, and Sujatha Bhat.
- •Chinnaiah has formally requested police protection for himself and his family, citing threats to their safety and security.
In a significant development concerning the ongoing Dharmasthala case, an individual identified as Chinnaiah (also known as Chinna CN) has formally submitted a complaint to the Special Investigation Team (SIT). Chinnaiah alleges that he and his relatives have been subjected to intimidation and unauthorized contact following his recent efforts to accelerate the legal proceedings.
The complainant recently approached the Karnataka High Court through a writ petition filed on June 6, 2026, requesting judicial intervention to expedite the investigation. Chinnaiah, who had previously faced legal action for perjury regarding past allegations of misconduct in Dharmasthala, now claims that influential figures are attempting to interfere with the Dharmasthala case investigation and pressure him into withdrawing his current legal challenge.
Allegations of Witness Intimidation and Interference
According to the formal complaint lodged on June 15, 2026, Chinnaiah detailed specific instances where his family members were approached by outsiders. On the night of June 12, an individual named Abhishek, allegedly linked to a YouTube channel, reportedly contacted Chinnaiah’s relative, Purushotham, via WhatsApp. The caller persistently inquired about the motive behind the writ petition and sought sensitive personal information, including Chinnaiah's mobile number and family details.
Additionally, Chinnaiah reported that Girish Mattannavar contacted another relative, Ravi, soliciting similar information regarding the legal filing. The complainant asserts that these interactions were designed to spread fear and exert indirect pressure on him to abandon his pursuit of justice in the Dharmasthala case. Both Purushotham and Ravi are noted as potential witnesses who have previously provided statements to the SIT.
Chinnaiah has explicitly named several individuals in his petition, including Mahesh Shetty Timarody, Girish Mattannavar, Vittal Gowda, Jayanth T, and Sujatha Bhat, while also highlighting the role of various digital media platforms. He expressed deep concern for his family's safety and the psychological strain caused by this atmosphere of intimidation. In his communication to the SIT, he has demanded thorough legal action against the identified individuals and requested formal protection for himself and his relatives to ensure they can participate in the judicial process without threat or coercion. The Karnataka High Court has previously issued notices to the state government and the investigative authorities regarding the status of the inquiry.
