Daijiworld Media Network - Beltangady
Beltangady, Aug 23: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has identified the mysterious Dharmasthala ‘maskman’ as C N Chinnayya, a resident of Mandya, and arrested him after finding inconsistencies in his claims.
Chinnayya, a former sanitation worker who often covered his face in public under witness protection, had alleged that between 1995 and 2014 he was forced to bury bodies — some showing signs of sexual assault — in Dharmasthala. He had also recorded a statement before a magistrate.
Following his claims, the SIT conducted excavations along the Netravati river, where skeletal remains were recovered at two sites. However, officials said gaps in his statements and documents led to his arrest.
He was produced before the Belthangady court on Saturday and has been remanded to 10 days of SIT custody.
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