Dharmasthala case: Chinnaiah concludes recording confessional statement before Belthangady court

MANGALURU: After three days, masked man Chinnaiah on Saturday completed recording his confessional statement in connection with the alleged mass burial of bodies in Dharmasthala, before the Belthangady Additional Civil Judge and JMFC, Vijayendra, on Saturday.

Chinnaiah’s voluntary statement was recorded over 12.30 hours before the Belthangady court. After recording the statement, it was read out to him following which Chinnaiah and the judge signed on the documents. Investigating officer Jitendra Dayama was also present.

The case related to the alleged mass burial of bodies in Dharmasthala. Chinnaiah had previously given a statement under Section 183 of the BNSS (Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita) on July 11 and later confessed to the conspiracy, leading to his arrest.

After the SIT custody period ended, the court sent Chinnaiah to the Shivamogga jail and gave him time to reflect on his actions before giving his confessional statement. On Saturday, he was produced before the Belthangady court under police escort. Chinnaiah’s confessional statement is crucial in the case.