Mangaluru: Chinnaiah, the key figure previously known as the "mask man" in the sensational Dharmasthala alleged mass murder case, has approached the police claiming threats to his life. In a complaint filed at the Belthangady police station on Saturday, he named five individuals—activists Mahesh Shetty Thimarody, Girish Mattennanavar, Vittal Gowda, Jayanth, and YouTuber M.D. Sameer—as those threatening him and his wife.
This development follows Chinnaiah's recent release on bail after being arrested by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) on August 23 for allegedly misleading authorities with false information about the case.
Chinnaiah first made headlines on July 11 when he appeared before a Mangaluru court as an unidentified complainant. He gave a startling statement claiming he was forced to bury the bodies of women and girls who had been raped and murdered in Dharmasthala. He graphically described the victims' injuries and alleged that the bodies were buried without clothing, bearing clear signs of sexual assault.
His claims, which included the submission of a skull he alleged was from a burial site, sent shockwaves across Karnataka. The revelations prompted demands from retired judges and activists for a Supreme Court-monitored probe.
Initially protected under the Witness Protection Act, Chinnaiah’s credibility came under scrutiny after extensive interrogation by the SIT. Investigators concluded that he had fabricated details to mislead the probe, leading to his arrest and the subsequent revocation of his witness protection status.
Now out on bail, Chinnaiah is seeking renewed police protection, citing danger from the very activists who had initially championed the cause for a deeper investigation.
(Inputs from IANS)