Mangaluru, 16 Sept

The Belthangady court on Tuesday rejected the bail plea of the masked complainant for the Dharmasthala case.

The complainant, who has been in judicial custody in Shivamogga Jail, was produced before the court on Tuesday. He had sought bail on the grounds of "ill health" and "family responsibilities".

The court, however, declined his application after considering the seriousness of the charges against him.

He was arrested on 23 August on charges of perjury by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the charges in connection with the Dharmasthala case, after it claimed to have noticed irregularities in his statements. 

The SIT had questioned him extensively about his statements and the circumstances under which he made the allegations.

Police sources said further investigation is ongoing and additional charges may be filed.

Security around the area was stepped up to prevent any law-and-order disturbances.

A controversy erupted after the complainant claimed to have buried hundred of bodies, including those of women with signs of sexual assault in Dharmasthala over two decades.