The Dharmasthala skull case has emerged as one of Karnataka’s most sensational and controversial investigations in recent years. It began with dramatic claims of mass burials, followed by the discovery of a suspicious skull, fabricated testimonies, and international media coverage. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) is now probing the case, but with multiple twists, false leads, and forensic mismatches, the truth remains clouded. Readers can also remember the Soujanya Murder case which is also linked to Dharmasthala.
Here’s a detailed timeline of how the Dharmasthala skull case unfolded and why it continues to dominate headlines.
Dharmasthala Skull Case – Timeline
Early Shock: Chinnayya’s Skull and Mass Burial Claim
In early 2024, a masked man named Chinnayya appeared publicly with a human skull (burude). He claimed that he had buried thousands of dead bodies in Dharmasthala, alleging large-scale cover-ups.
This shocking statement sent shockwaves across Karnataka, raising fears of mass graves and human rights violations. Soon after, a suspicious skull was reportedly recovered, triggering legal and political uproar.
Dharmasthala Skull Submitted in Court
By mid-2024, the skull and soil samples were presented before a local court. However, the authenticity of the evidence came under immediate doubt. Critics questioned whether the skull was genuinely linked to Dharmasthala or had been planted to create controversy.
FSL Report Creates Doubt
Later in 2024, the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) analyzed the soil attached to the skull.
- The results confirmed that the soil did not match the Dharmasthala region, raising doubts about the skull’s origin.
- This mismatch indicated that the skull may have been brought from another location.
SIT Investigation Begins
Amid growing pressure, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed in early 2025 to lead the probe. The SIT began interrogating key figures such as Jaynath, YouTuber Abhishek, and Chinnayya.
The central question was simple: where did the skull actually come from?
YouTubers and Social Media Campaigns
The Dharmasthala skull case reached mass audiences partly due to the role of YouTubers Sameer MD and Abhishek.
- Their videos and livestreams amplified Chinnayya’s claims, fueling public suspicion.
- Some SIT sources allege that paid campaigns and coordinated troll pages were involved in spreading the narrative that Dharmasthala was hiding mass graves.
- Sameer MD’s viral videos, in particular, made the case a household discussion, while Abhishek was later called in for SIT questioning regarding his role in circulating unverified claims.
Their involvement transformed the case from a local legal matter into a statewide media storm, forcing authorities and mainstream outlets to respond.
Dharmasthala Skull Case: Chinnayya’s Timarodi Confession
In mid-2025, during interrogation, Chinnayya (mask man) admitted the skull was brought from the Timarodi rubber estate as part of a conspiracy. Mask Man’s Ex-Wife Reveals His Identity. He led police to a specific spot within the plantation, where officers collected soil for fresh FSL comparison against the soil on the skull. A match would indicate the skull was unrelated to Dharmasthala and had been transplanted to frame a narrative.
Dharmasthala Skull Case: The Timarodi Thread and Mahesh Shetty Thimarodi
As the Timarodi estate emerged as a critical location, the name Mahesh Shetty Thimarodi surfaced in local discourse and reportage connected to the estate angle. According to SIT-adjacent chatter referenced by sources, his name appeared in conversations about who knew what regarding the Timarodi site and when. At the time of writing, investigators have not publicly confirmed charges against Mahesh Shetty Thimarodi; his name’s inclusion reflects the estate’s growing relevance to the chain of custody and alleged evidence movement. Any definitive role awaits formal SIT statements and corroborated forensic results. This mention aligns the explainer with the Timarodi focus readers are seeking while maintaining due caution about unverified claims.
New Name Surfaces: Girish Mattannavar
In August 2025, SIT sources revealed another twist. During questioning, Jaynath named Girish Mattannavar as the person who had handed over the skull.
This disclosure deepened suspicions of a larger conspiracy involving multiple people fabricating evidence.
Sujatha’s Fabricated Missing Daughter Claim
Around the same time, a woman named Sujatha claimed her daughter had gone missing and linked the disappearance to the Dharmasthala skull allegations.
- The claim generated sympathy and media attention.
- However, further investigation revealed that the story was fabricated.
- This added yet another layer of misinformation to an already complicated case.
Dharmasthala International Media Coverage
By September 2025, the case had attracted global attention. Major outlets including Al Jazeera, BBC, and News Minute ran features questioning Dharmasthala’s role and suggesting that the temple town may have “buried many truths.”
The international spotlight increased political pressure on Karnataka authorities and forced the SIT to intensify its probe.
Criticism of SIT’s Methods
Legal experts have raised concerns about how the SIT handled the investigation. They argue:
- The SIT should have first secured and marked the original site where the skull was allegedly found.
- Instead, the team expanded the search to other areas, which may have compromised potential evidence like skeletal remains.
- This misstep has fueled criticism that the SIT investigation may have overlooked critical forensic details.
Current Status of the Case
As of September 2025, the SIT is awaiting FSL results comparing soil from Timarodi estate with the soil attached to the skull.
- If they match, it will confirm that the skull had nothing to do with Dharmasthala and was likely planted.
- If they don’t match, new questions will arise about where the skull actually came from.
Meanwhile, public suspicion continues to grow, with every twist bringing more speculation about conspiracies, planted evidence, and political motives.
