‘Bigger conspiracy behind this’: BJP MLC Chalavadi Narayanaswamy amid Dharmasthala case arrest

BENGALURU: Amid shocking developments in the Dharmasthala case, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLC Chalavadi Narayanaswamy on Saturday claimed that there was a “bigger conspiracy” behind the allegations levelled by the complainant C N Chinnaiah, who has been arrested by the special investigation team (SIT).

The Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Legislative Council suggested that this was done to “defame” Hindu temples and claimed that everybody was doubting the Congress government in the state since “they are also involved in this”.

#WATCH | Bengaluru: On the Dharmasthala case, Karnataka Legislative Council LoP & BJP MLC Chalavadi Narayanaswamy says, “The main conspirator, the masked man Chinnaya, has now removed his mask. SIT has arrested him and brought him before the court of law, which may keep him in… pic.twitter.com/GvPS0VCnNw

— ANI (@ANI) August 23, 2025

“The main conspirator Chinnaiah’s mask has come off. The SIT has arrested him and brought him before the court of law, which may keep him in police custody for some time. There is a bigger conspiracy behind this. They wanted to defame the Hindu temples and the dharmadhikari as well. Those who are joining together to form a group to blackmail on the Dharmasthala issue have their lies exposed. Everybody is doubting the Congress government because they are also involved in this. Everyone involved in conspiring over this issue should be arrested”, Narayanaswamy said.

Earlier in the day, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar called upon the BJP to not politicise the issue. He maintained that he was neither for nor against Dharmasthala, but for justice. Speaking to reporters at his Sadashivanagar residence, Shivakumar said, “The BJP was sitting on the fence regarding this issue. They have started talking after I raised the angle of conspiracy”.

#WATCH | Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka: The whistleblower in the Dharmasthala case has been sent to SIT police custody for 10 days.

Visuals from outside Belthangady Court. pic.twitter.com/AicSDr8XON

— ANI (@ANI) August 23, 2025

“We are neither for them (Dharmasthala) nor against them. We are for justice. We are only saying that we should not do politics in matters of religion. The family of the Dharmasthala victims spoke to the CM and appreciated the formation of the SIT. The investigation is ongoing. The CM and the Home Minister have clarified in the legislative assembly that the government would take action against the culprits irrespective of their position,” the Deputy CM said.

Home Minister G Parameshwara told reporters that police are investigating to unearthen the network behind the case and confirmed the arrest of the complainant. “It is true that he (the complainant) has been arrested, he is in police custody, cannot give any information as the investigation is ongoing. Officers will continue the investigation, and I will get more information from the SIT. I cannot give more information until the investigation is completed. What network is behind this will be found”, Parameshwara said. (ANI)