Dharmasthala ‘Mask Man’ Chinnayya Released from Shivamogga Jail Following Bail Approval

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Mangaluru : The controversial figure known as ‘Mask Man’ Chinnayya, alias Burude Chinnayya, who gained notoriety for making explosive claims about mass burials in Dharmasthala, has finally been released from prison. Although the Principal District and Sessions Court in Mangaluru had granted him conditional bail as early as November 24, his actual release was delayed by several weeks due to procedural and financial complications. The release process was eventually completed on Friday morning at the Shivamogga Central Jail in the presence of his wife Mallika, his sister, and his legal representatives, ending his period of judicial custody.

The primary reason for the delay in his release was a stringent court condition requiring a security deposit of 1 lakh. Due to the family’s deteriorating financial situation, arranging such a substantial amount proved to be a significant challenge, forcing Chinnayya to remain in jail despite having secured bail legally. While his wife arrived in Shivamogga with all the necessary legal documentation by Wednesday evening, prison regulations prohibit the release of inmates after 6:30 PM. Consequently, the final formalities were carried out the following morning, and he was officially released at 8:30 AM under the supervision of the Jail Superintendent.

The ‘Mask Man’ controversy erupted a few months ago when Chinnayya appeared in public wearing a mask, claiming he had witnessed the burial of hundreds of bodies in the vicinity of Dharmasthala. He led investigation teams into various forest areas and remote terrains to identify these alleged sites. However, after extensive digging and searching, authorities found no evidence or human remains, leading to his arrest on charges of misleading investigative agencies, providing false testimony, and inciting public fear. For his own safety, he had been transferred from Belthangady to the more secure Shivamogga Central Jail during the trial period.

As he steps out of prison, Chinnayya remains bound by several court-mandated conditions, including a strict directive to cooperate with the ongoing investigation and an order not to influence any witnesses related to the case. The legal proceedings against him are still active in the Belthangady court and are expected to continue in the coming months. The release of a man who transitioned from being a self-proclaimed star witness to a primary accused has once again ignited intense curiosity and debate throughout the coastal Karnataka region.