Dharmasthala Case Update: Masked Whistleblower CN Chinnayya Granted Bail Under Strict Conditions

CN Chinnayya, who was arrested on August 23 on allegations of perjury, has been granted bail by the Mangaluru District Court.

The Mangaluru District Court has approved bail for the masked man who previously claimed involvement in illegal mass burials in Dharmasthala before being arrested on perjury charges for allegedly falsifying facts related to the case.

After spending three months in Shivamogga jail, CN Chinnayya received bail following a comprehensive court hearing today.

Chinnayya, formerly employed as a sanitation worker, had initially alleged that between 1995 and 2014, numerous bodies of women and minors, some showing signs of sexual assault, were covertly buried in Dharmasthala. However, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) discovered significant discrepancies in his testimony and evidence.

Following his August 23 arrest for alleged perjury, authorities first placed Chinnayya in SIT custody before transferring him to judicial custody in Shivamogga.

The court has imposed 12 conditions with the bail approval, including the execution of a Rs 1 lakh bond. According to the court order, Chinnayya must refrain from committing similar offenses or attempting to escape during trial proceedings.

Additional restrictions prohibit him from threatening, bribing, or influencing witnesses, and he is forbidden from tampering with case-related evidence.

The court mandates that the accused fully cooperate with the Investigating Officer and appear when summoned. Regular court attendance is required unless specifically exempted by judicial permission.

Chinnayya must provide valid identification documents (such as Aadhaar or voter ID) for himself and his guarantors, and immediately report any change in residence to the court.

He is required to share his contact details, including mobile number, WhatsApp, and email address with the court and cannot leave the jurisdiction without prior authorization.

The court has explicitly prohibited Chinnayya from making public statements or giving media interviews regarding the crime. Additionally, following his release, he must report to the local police station on alternate days until authorities file the charge sheet or final report.