A former temple cleaner in Dharmasthala, Karnataka, has been arrested after claiming he was forced to bury the bodies of hundreds of raped and murdered women during his time working at the revered Manjunatha Swamy temple.

The man, who worked at the temple from 1995 to 2014, lodged a complaint in July alleging horrific crimes involving minors and temple staff. Appearing in public dressed entirely in black, he even produced a human skull in court as alleged evidence. His claims sparked massive public outrage, intense media scrutiny, and a political storm in Karnataka.

In response, the state government formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the allegations. Excavations at 13 locations led to the discovery of human remains, including a skull and over 100 bone fragments, which are now undergoing forensic testing.

However, the SIT has since arrested the man for perjury, stating that the remains he presented did not match the locations he had identified. Despite this, questions remain, especially as some evidence appears to back parts of his story.

The case has drawn national attention to the powerful Heggade family, hereditary custodians of the temple. Chief administrator and MP Veerendra Heggade called the allegations “false” but welcomed the investigation, emphasizing faith in India’s judiciary.

The incident has also led to political tension, with the opposition BJP calling it a smear campaign, while the ruling Congress insists the truth must come out—regardless of who it implicates or exonerates.

As forensic results are awaited, the case continues to grip the nation, with many asking: is this a false alarm—or the unveiling of a hidden horror?