Mangaluru: The sacred reputation of Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala, one of Karnataka’s most revered religious institutions, has once again come under a shadow of controversy after police unearthed a malicious conspiracy to tarnish its dignity. An FIR has been lodged at Belthangady police station against three individuals Girish Mattannavar, Mahesh Shetty Timarodi, and Madan Bugudi accusing them of systematically spreading false, defamatory information in the guise of human rights activism.
According to the FIR, complainant Praveen KR, a devotee of Dharmasthala, alleged that the trio deliberately misled the public. Girish Mattannavar reportedly introduced Madan Bugudi as an officer of the Human Rights Commission, using this false identity to lend credibility to derogatory remarks made against Dharmasthala. Such misrepresentation, the police say, was not a mere slip but a calculated move to deceive the public and vilify the institution’s long-standing spiritual and social service legacy.
The case has been registered under IPC sections 204, 319(2), and 353(2), which deal with acts of impersonation, conspiracy, and defamation. Bugudi has been specifically charged with falsely claiming to be a Commission officer to gain undue influence in the media, while Mahesh Shetty Timarodi is accused of persistently attacking Dharmasthala through derogatory social media posts and statements.
Skeleton planted to mislead investigation
The latest FIR comes on the heels of another startling revelation: the anonymous individual who had produced a skeleton in connection with false allegations of mass burials in Dharmasthala has now been exposed. Identified as Chinnaiah, the man has admitted that the skeleton was not connected to Dharmasthala at all but was brought from Bengaluru. His contradictory statements forced investigators to dig deeper, exposing what now appears to be a wider conspiracy aimed at sowing mistrust against the institution.
The police took Chinnaiah to Bengaluru to trace the origins of the skeleton, eventually leading to a raid at the residence of a man named Jayant in Peenya Mini Colony. During this operation, Chinnaiah was masked and his every movement was recorded by the Scene of Crime Officers (SOC) team to ensure evidence integrity. The Bagalgunte police provided tight security during the search to prevent any attempt to interfere with the investigation.
The revelations have cast serious doubts on the motives of those involved in fabricating evidence and spinning sensationalist narratives against Dharmasthala.
A deliberate conspiracy
Police sources now strongly suspect that the repeated attempts — from false impersonations to planting skeletons — are not isolated acts but part of a coordinated effort to malign the reputation of Dharmasthala. The religious seat, led by Dharmadhikari Dr. Veerendra Heggade, has been a symbol of social reform, charity, and communal harmony for decades. Observers say that its vast influence and goodwill make it a natural target for detractors who wish to discredit it for personal, political, or financial gains.
“The manner in which the accused tried to use the name of the Human Rights Commission to create false legitimacy is deeply troubling,” a senior police officer said. “We are not just dealing with a case of defamation but with an organized attempt to disturb social peace by attacking a trusted institution.”
The police have made it clear that this conspiracy will be thoroughly investigated and no one responsible will be spared. The questioning of Chinnaiah and his links to Jayant are likely to reveal more layers in the coming days. Officials hinted that the accused may be taken to Tamil Nadu and Mandya, where further leads are expected. However, for security reasons and to avoid any leaks, he was brought back to Belthangady at the last minute.
The registration of the FIR has triggered a heated public debate, with devotees and local leaders condemning the deliberate campaign to tarnish Dharmasthala’s name. Social media platforms too have been flooded with calls for strict action against those attempting to malign the sacred institution.
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