The Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigating the alleged burial of bodies in Dharmasthala has searched the residence of activist Mahesh Shetty Thimarody in Ujire. The search was conducted on Tuesday with the assistance of the accused, CN Chinnaiah.
Thimarody is currently out on bail following his arrest for allegedly making derogatory remarks against Bharatiya Janata Party's national general secretary (Organisation) BL Santhosh. According to SIT officials, Chinnaiah had been staying at Thimarody's house for the last two months.
Armed with a search warrant from the Belthangady court, the team was at the activist's residence to gather information and evidence as part of the wider probe. Officials confirmed that the evidence collection is ongoing.
The controversy began when Chinnaiah, who has since been arrested on perjury charges, claimed that he had buried a number of bodies, including those of sexually assaulted women, in Dharmasthala over a period of time. His claims implicated the administrators of the local temple.
The BJP had protested against the targeting of the temple, while Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar had warned that action would be taken if the complaint was found to be false. Veerendra Heggade, the Dharmadhikari and custodian of the temple, has welcomed the formation of the SIT to investigate the matter.
Also read: BJP stages march to defend Dharmasthala's temple town image
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