Dharmasthala case: One phone call being read out of context, says Prakash Raj
Actor Prakash Raj on Wednesday clarified his position on the controversial Dharmasthala case, stressing that he had no involvement in the matter except for a
Actor Prakash Raj on Wednesday clarified his position on the controversial Dharmasthala case, stressing that he had no involvement in the matter except for a phone call, which is now being read out of context. The clarification came days after reports emerged about Chinna C.N., alias Chinnaiah, 50, the central figure in the Dharmasthala mass burial case, mentioning Mr. Raj’s name in a writ petition filed before the Karnataka High Court, where it was reportedly only a small reference. According to the actor, Chinnaiah had contacted him after the SIT began its investigation.
Speaking in a mix of Tamil and Telugu, he expressed fear and anxiety about his situation, the actor recalled. “My response was straightforward. I encouraged Chinnaiah to come forward with the truth if it were genuine,” Mr. Raj said. “I told him that if what he has is the truth, he should speak about it openly. I said the officer assigned to investigate the case is a good officer and that the truth coming out would be a moment of relief for everyone,” Mr. Raj said.
The actor reiterated that he reassured Chinnaiah that there was nothing to fear if he was being honest and that he personally had no interest in the matter. The actor maintained that this brief exchange constituted the entirety of his involvement and said it should not be interpreted as “influencing the investigation” or “guiding” any individual. He added that his only intention was to encourage transparency and support due process. Raj said that activist Girish Mattannavar had spoken to him regarding developments in the matter and that he immediately conveyed the information to Pronab Mohanty, head of the SIT probing the Dharmasthala case.
“Mr. Mohanty had advised me not to entertain random calls or unverified claims without proper investigation,” he said. He urged the public not to communalise the issue, saying that questioning allegations and demanding accountability should not be mistaken for attacking religion or faith.
The BriefWire