Karnataka Police arrested activist Mahesh Shetty Thimarody on Thursday, August 21, 2025, from his residence in Ujire, Udupi district. The arrest stems from allegations that he made derogatory remarks against BJP National Organising Secretary B.L. Santhosh. Thimarody has been a prominent figure in the movement seeking justice for victims in the alleged Dharmasthala mass burial case.
The arrest occurred amidst heightened tensions between activists demanding investigations into the alleged secret mass burials in Dharmasthala and supporters of the Dharmasthala temple, who accuse the activists of defaming the temple. Thimarody's detention also comes as the Special Investigation Team (SIT) continues its probe into the mass burial claims.
Brahmavara police had booked Mahesh Shetty Thimarody on August 18, 2025, under Sections 196 (1), 352 and 353 (2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The charges are based on a complaint filed by BJP mandal president Rajeev Kulal. Prior to his arrest, the Brahmavara police issued a second notice to Thimarody, directing him to appear for questioning on August 21, with a warning of arrest if he failed to comply.
Videos show Thimarody stating that the state government and the BJP would be responsible "if anything untoward" happened to him. He affirmed his commitment to continue fighting against those who killed Sowjanya.
The Dharmasthala case gained traction in July 2025, when an investigation was launched into allegations of murders and mass burials in the temple town. A complainant claimed he was coerced into burying over a hundred bodies of women and minors, many showing signs of sexual violence, and witnessed the suffocation of poor beggars. Another complaint in August 2025 alleged that an activist saw a body being buried fifteen years prior.
The SIT investigation involved exhuming bodies from thirteen burial spots identified by the initial complainant. As of August 4, 2025, eleven sites had been excavated, yielding no human remains at nine sites, a partial skeleton at one, and a human skull and bones at another.
The Dharmasthala temple has faced protests from local families and political groups since the 1980s, concerning sexual violence, murder, and burials. Protests re-emerged in 2012 following the rape and murder of a 17-year-old girl, with her family alleging the offender was associated with the temple's leadership. However, a CBI Special Court acquitted the defendant in 2023 due to lack of evidence.
Recent reports suggest the alleged mass burial case may be a hoax. Despite extensive excavations, the SIT found no evidence of mass burials. Skeletal fragments recovered were linked to accidental deaths and legally recorded burials. Even Karnataka's Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar acknowledged a potential conspiracy behind the allegations.
Adding to the controversy, a YouTuber named Sameer MD allegedly circulated false narratives about Dharmasthala through AI-generated videos, contributing to public unrest and defaming the temple. He has since obtained anticipatory bail on August 21.
