Bengaluru: Actor Prakash Raj found himself at the centre of a heated political and legal controversy after his name appeared in a writ petition filed by CN Chinnaiah, the main accused in the sensational Dharmasthala case. Chinnaiah, who is currently being investigated for his explosive — and disputed — claims of multiple murders and burials in the temple town, alleged in his court filing that he was a pawn in a larger conspiracy to defame the sacred site.
Responding to the swirling allegations on X, Prakash Raj urged the public to disregard “exaggerated and fabricated stories” being circulated by what he called “malicious individuals”. The actor, who is currently out of the state, promised to return and hold a press conference soon, clarify his position.
Home minister Priyank Kharge also cautioned against jumping to conclusions. “Just because a name is mentioned, one cannot be considered a criminal,” Priyank said, adding that the special investigation team (SIT) was directed by the high court to submit a status report on the probe by June 29. “It is a court-monitored investigation. The court asked the SIT certain questions, and the chief will reply to them. The case cannot be discussed publicly,” he said.
Controversy erupted last year when Chinnaiah claimed he buried numerous victims of sexual assault in Dharmasthala over two decades. A SIT was formed, and several sites were dug up, but sleuths found partial skeletal remains at only two sites, casting doubts on the veracity of Chinnaiah’s claims.
In his recent petition, Chinnaiah alleged that a Rs 200 crore conspiracy funded the campaign against the temple, naming various activists, besides Raj. Opposition BJP has seized on the development, with MLA Sunil Kumar demanding that the govt immediately make the SIT report public. “The public deserves to know the motive behind this revelation,” Kumar said, accusing the govt of allowing the defamation of a prominent Hindu religious centre.
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