Bengaluru - Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has stirred controversy by labelling the ongoing Dharmasthala case as an 'empty trunk' and a 'big conspiracy' aimed at tarnishing the temple town. This assertive declaration comes even as a Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed by his own government has been actively investigating the serious allegations in Dharmasthala for nearly a month now.

Shivakumar's statement, released on 14 August 2025, creates an apparent contradiction with the actions of the very administration he helps lead. The formation of the SIT by the Karnataka government was a direct response to the gravity of the allegations, suggesting an official acknowledgement of their seriousness. However, the Deputy Chief Minister's recent remarks seem to downplay or outright dismiss the substance of these accusations.

The SIT's work, which has been underway for almost a month, focuses on the unspecified "serious allegations" that have brought the temple town into the spotlight. Shivakumar's characterisation of the case as an "empty trunk" and a "big conspiracy" raises questions about the political implications and the potential impact on public trust concerning the ongoing investigation.