The high-profile case surrounding alleged missing bodies and the disappearance of medical student Ananya Bhat in Dharmasthala has taken a fresh twist, as investigators now suspect that the entire complaint may have been fabricated to malign the institution and its administrators.
While the issue initially triggered state-wide debates and protests, recent developments indicate that the complaint against Dharmadhikari Dr D Veerendra Heggade and his brother Harshendra Heggade was based on misleading claims. A counter-complaint has now been filed against activist Sujatha Bhat, who first raised the allegations, as well as activists Girish Mattannavar, Mahesh Shetty Timarodi, and YouTuber M D Sameer, accusing them of spreading falsehoods.
SIT takes over the case
The Special Investigation Team (SIT), tasked with probing the disappearance of Ananya Bhat, has collected extensive background information. According to SIT sources, details include Sujatha’s family background, the 2003 disappearance complaint, and her July 15 petition at the Dharmasthala Police Station. However, inconsistencies emerged soon after.
A senior officer confirmed, “We have verified the background documents and witness statements. Many of Sujatha’s claims appear unsubstantiated. We are closely examining whether this complaint was deliberately fabricated.”
Withdrawal move raises suspicion.
Earlier today, Sujatha released an audio clip claiming she would withdraw her case. But the SIT revealed that she never formally informed them about withdrawing, raising suspicion about her intentions. Activists close to Sujatha had initially supported her, even sheltering her at Mahesh Shetty’s Timarodi house. However, as doubts surfaced, sources say Shetty himself eventually asked her to leave.
SIT insiders suggest the case is “collapsing from within,” with evidence pointing towards fabrication rather than genuine grievance.
Social activist files counter-complaint
On August 21, Mysuru-based social activist Snehamayi Krishna filed a formal complaint at Dharmasthala Police Station against Sujatha and her supporters. Krishna alleged, “They created a false narrative that MBBS student Ananya was murdered in Dharmasthala. In reality, Sujatha does not have a daughter by that name.”
Krishna further stated, “Their campaign has caused fear, confusion, and damage to Dharmasthala’s reputation. They have abused public sentiment to mislead people and frame revered authorities.”
Questions on Sujatha’s background
Adding to the controversy, Sujatha’s own family has disputed her claims. Her sister’s husband, Mahabaleshwar Rao, told a television channel that Sujatha is unmarried, contradicting her assertions that she had a daughter studying medicine. He also dismissed her claim of working as a stenographer in the CBI’s Kolkata office as false.
A private Kannada news channel reported that Sujatha had been in a live-in relationship with a man named Rangaprasad, with whom she had a son, Srivatsa, and a daughter-in-law, Vasanti. Vasanti reportedly died in 2007.
Allegations now suggest that a college-era photograph of Vasanti was falsely presented as evidence of Ananya’s existence. Krishna, in her complaint, demanded the immediate arrest of those responsible for this “deliberate misinformation campaign.”
Did activists fall for false claims?
SIT officials are also probing the role of activist groups. Sources revealed that some activists genuinely believed Sujatha’s version and attempted to obtain proof of her daughter’s identity, but failed. As discrepancies emerged, divisions grew within the activist camp.
One official remarked, “It appears some activists may have been misled, but others knowingly propagated falsehoods to gain attention and intensify protests against Dharmasthala authorities.”
SIT is likely to question Sujatha
With evidence piling up, SIT is preparing to question Sujatha Bhat more closely. “If it is proven that she filed a false complaint, strict action will follow under relevant sections of law,” an SIT source confirmed.
Meanwhile, Dharmasthala authorities maintain that the allegations were a calculated attempt to tarnish the image of the historic religious institution and its administrators.
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