Prakash Raj Slams Allegations of Involvement in ₹200-Crore Dharmasthala Conspiracy

Veteran actor Prakash Raj has broken his silence following a wave of shocking allegations linking him to a massive ₹200-crore conspiracy aimed at tarnishing the reputation of the sacred Sri Kshethra Dharmasthala in Karnataka.

Responding via social media, the actor urged the public not to fall for a smear campaign, dismissing the allegations as the work of "scoundrels" trying to fabricate wings on a baseless story.

"Since this is an extremely sensitive matter and one that has hurt the faith of millions of devotees, it is my duty to respond to such doubts," Prakash Raj stated in a post on X. "I am far away right now. In another two days, I will personally come and respond through media friends. Until then, do not believe the hot air, and the wings and feathers that some scoundrels are trying to attach to this news."

The Origin: A Shocking Writ Petition in the High Court

The controversy erupted after an insider-turned-whistleblower, Chinnaiah, filed a explosive writ petition in the Karnataka High Court. Chinnaiah, who was reportedly once part of the so-called "Burude Gang," has now turned against his former associates, submitting complete transaction histories, bank accounts belonging to his wife, and cash trail records to the court, according to a report in Kannada Prabha.

According to Chinnaiah's judicial submission, a meticulous master plan was hatched by a core faction including Mahesh Shetty Thimarodi, Girish Mattannavar, Vittal Gowda, and Jayanth to systematically damage the sanctity of Dharmasthala.

Explosive Allegations: The ₹200-Crore Budget and Inter-State Funding

Chinnaiah's petition outlines a massive, well-funded mechanism designed to fuel the anti-Dharmasthala campaign:

The ₹200-Crore Blueprint: A whopping budget of ₹200 crore was allegedly set aside exclusively to orchestrate the conspiracy against the temple town.

Inter-State Financing & Local Backing: The petitioner claims that substantial financial backing came directly from Kerala, while additional funds were provided by a local individual named Rama Nagaraj from Chitradurga.

The Induction Inducement: Chinnaiah alleged that Mahesh Shetty Thimarodi directly lured him into the plot with an offer of ₹50 lakh.

How Prakash Raj's Name Was Dragged In

In his writ petition, Chinnaiah detailed how the multi-lingual actor was allegedly drawn into the plot. He claimed that one evening at around 8:00 pm, a member of the group, Girish Mattannavar, placed a phone call to Prakash Raj and handed the phone over to him.

According to Chinnaiah, Prakash Raj spoke in Tamil and instructed him to repeat whatever statement Girish Mattannavar directed him to say before the investigating officers. The petitioner further claimed that the actor promised to personally meet and embrace him on June 29 if he cooperated exactly as told, the report said.

Despite these explicit names and financial trails being flagged to law enforcement, Chinnaiah moved the High Court out of frustration, alleging that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) had failed to take appropriate action against the key conspirators.

Court Defers Hearing

Taking note of the extreme sensitivity of the case and its profound impact on millions of devotees across the state, the Karnataka High Court has deferred the matter. The next legal hearing on the writ petition is scheduled for June 29.

All eyes are now on Prakash Raj's upcoming press conference, where he has promised a full disclosure to put the rumors to rest.