Archive · 13 Nov 2025
Karnataka High Court Lifts Stay on Dharmasthala Burials Investigation
There was a legal pause on an investigation into some serious allegations in Dharmasthala, like secret burials.
Some activists asked the court to stop the investigation, saying they shouldn't be bothered.
The court initially agreed to pause it.
But the police team investigating said that the activists might be involved and were controlling the person who made the original complaint.
The court then decided to un-pause the investigation so the police could continue looking into the matter.
However, the court also told the police not to trouble the activists while they do their work.
The activists had questioned the way the police were investigating.
The Karnataka High Court has lifted its interim stay on the investigation into the Dharmasthala burials case.
The court directed the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the case not to harass the activists who petitioned to quash the FIR.
The stay was initially granted on October 30 after activists sought to quash the case, alleging it was based on non-cognizable sections.
The state argued that the activists influenced the original complainant and lacked the standing to quash the case.
The original complaint involved allegations of secret burials of bodies in Dharmasthala between 1998 and 2014.
- Who
- Karnataka High Court, Special Investigation Team (SIT), activists Girish Mattennavar, Mahesh Thimarody, Jayanth T, Vittala Gowda, and complainant C N Chinnaiah
- What
- The Karnataka High Court lifted its interim stay on the investigation into the Dharmasthala burials case, while also directing the SIT to not harass the activists who had petitioned to quash the FIR.
- When
- The stay was lifted on Wednesday; it was initially granted on October 30.
- Where
- Dharmasthala
- Why
- The court lifted the stay to allow the SIT to continue its investigation. The state argued that the activists had influenced the complainant and did not have the locus standi to quash the case.
Petitioners (Activists)
State Government (SIT)
Basis for Quashing FIR
Petitioners (Activists)
Activists argue they have no locus to seek quashing of the case, especially since they are not accused and only received a notice to assist the investigation. They also questioned the inclusion of non-cognizable sections in the FIR.
State Government (SIT)
The state argues the activists did not approach the court with clean hands, suggesting the proceedings were initiated at their behest and that they influenced the original complainant, Chinnaiah, controlling what he said to the police.
Harassment during Investigation
Petitioners (Activists)
Activists sought protection from harassment during the investigation, having been summoned multiple times for extensive questioning.
State Government (SIT)
The state contends that the activists are not at risk of arrest if they cooperate with the investigation and that they were controlling the complainant.
- Court
- Karnataka High Court
- Case Location
- Dharmasthala
- Allegations
- Secret burials of bodies, multiple murders, rapes
- Original Complaint
- Filed by C N Chinnaiah, former sanitation worker
- Investigation Body
- Special Investigation Team (SIT)
- Stay Granted
- October 30
- Stay Lifted
- Wednesday
- Petitioners
- Girish Mattennavar, Mahesh Thimarody, Jayanth T, and Vittala Gowda (activists)
