SIT gatherers more information on illegal burials, Chinnayya from Thimarodi and Mattannavar 

Bengaluru

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the mass burial case has collected more information on alleged illegal burials and accused Chinnayya from Mahesh Shetty Thimarodi and Girish Mattannavar. The duo met SIT chief Pronab Mohanty and the head of the investigation, C A Simon.

Sources in the Home Ministry said Thimarodi first met the SIT officers and provided the information sought. The SIT gathered details about Chinnayya, the alleged illegal burials, and other related matters. Thimarodi also shared possible locations of the burials and expressed that the SIT was their greatest hope for justice in the case.

Mattannavar, who met the officers after Thimarodi, reportedly handed over several documents and pieces of evidence to support the probe. He also spoke to the media after leaving the office. The SIT has questioned him about the skull that accused Chinnayya presented as evidence before the magistrate. Sources in the Home Ministry said further details of the meetings cannot be disclosed in the interest of the investigation.

It may be recalled that on July 3, Chinnayya, also known as Bheema, filed a complaint at the Dharmasthala police station, alleging that he had been forced to bury dead bodies. In the complaint, he claimed that some of the bodies showed signs of violence. On July 4, the police registered an FIR, and on July 19, the State government constituted the SIT. Over the following two weeks, the SIT conducted an exhumation operation and discovered skeletal remains of two individuals.

On July 11, Chinnayya recorded his statement before the Principal Civil Judge and Judicial Magistrate First Class, Belthangady taluk, under Section 183 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). He was arrested on August 23 on charges of perjury and forgery of evidence and was remanded to 10 days of police custody. He remains in SIT custody.