Complaint and false representation

On 26 August 2025, the Kannada daily Kannadaprabha carried a headline:

“Rowdy sheeter among fake Human Rights Commission officers who came to the police station with Girish Mattanna.”

Taking cognizance of this report, the Human Rights Commission initiated a suo motu complaint under Section 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, which led to a detailed investigation by the Belthangady Police.

During the inquiry, it was found that Girish Mattanna, while accompanying activist Mahesh Shetty Timarodi to the Belthangady Police Station, had brought along several associates. Among them, Madan Bugudi, dressed in a formal coat, introduced himself as an officer of the Human Rights Commission. However, upon verification, the police confirmed that he held no such position. In reality, Madan Bugudi was identified as a notorious rowdy-sheeter from Hubballi, who had earlier been paraded by the Hubballi Police Commissioner during a public roll call of known criminals.

John Simon and fake human rights network

Investigations further exposed that another man accompanying them, John Simon, also falsely claimed to represent the Human Rights Commission.

According to the report, John Simon has been operating in Bengaluru under fake human rights credentials, threatening police officers and extorting money in the name of protection. He is said to run his own private church in Doddaballapura, where he acts as pastor, and has registered an NGO under the name “Human Rights Anti-Corruption Social Justice Commission.”

Police found that Simon had been approaching citizens, claiming he could ‘help if police tortured them,’ creating a network of manipulation and extortion. Multiple public complaints have since been made, demanding that criminal action be initiated against him.

John Simon, a self-styled Christian pastor running his own private church, has brazenly misused the guise of human rights to manipulate citizens and challenge governmental authority in broad daylight. Operating with fake credentials, he has exploited the system and threatened law enforcement, yet it took an inordinate delay for authorities to initiate action against him.

The report notes that a formal complaint from one Praveen K.R. (S/o Ram Gudigar, resident of Kattadabailu Mane, Dharmasthala village, Belthangady taluk) has been forwarded to the Belthangady Police Inspector for further legal steps.

Attempt to defame Dharmasthala temple

On 30 August 2025, Girish Mattanna, along with Madan Bugudi, appeared at the Belthangady Police Station and held a media interaction, claiming to be devotees of Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala.

The police report reveals that their real intention was to disrupt social harmony, incite unrest, and damage the religious reputation of Dharmasthala. Using false credentials, Madan Bugudi publicly deceived the media by identifying himself as a human rights officer, tarnishing the credibility of the actual commission.

The first accused, Girish Mattanna, and the second accused, Mahesh Shetty Timarodi, were found to be collaborating with bloggers, such as Mohd Sameer, and social media activists to circulate false narratives targeting temple authorities.

Legal action and case registration

Following a detailed investigation and the receipt of a formal complaint, the Belthangady Police have initiated firm legal action against the accused involved in the Dharmasthala case. A criminal case bearing Case No. 100/2025 has been registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, marking the seriousness of the offenses committed.

The charges invoked include Section 204, which pertains to the destruction of evidence; Section 319(2), dealing with impersonation of a public servant; Section 353(2), addressing obstruction to lawful duty; and Section 3(5), which covers aggravated misuse of authority. These provisions collectively underscore the deliberate intent of the accused to mislead authorities, obstruct justice, and exploit official institutions for personal and ideological purposes.

A first progress report has already been submitted to the Chief Minister of Karnataka, confirming that the matter is under active and ongoing investigation by the Dakshina Kannada District Police. The report emphasizes that such fraudulent activities, particularly those that misuse the banner of human rights, will be treated with utmost seriousness and prosecuted under the full force of the law.

Police findings underscore that the accused, especially John Simon, habitually impersonates officials, interferes with investigations, and misuses the human rights banner for personal and ideological gains.

His church background, false NGO registration, and targeting of Hindu religious institutions like Dharmasthala indicate a potential conversion-linked motive. Authorities have recommended strict legal and administrative action to curb such fake human rights operatives who manipulate faith-based disputes to weaken Hindu institutions.

A web of deceit appears to have been spun around the Dharmasthala controversy, where genuine devotees and individuals like Chinniah, alias Maskman, and Sujatha Bhat were scapegoated to protect the propaganda machinery led by Girish Mattanna and Mahesh Shetty’s network. Backed by elements such as Sameer Mohammad and other habitual offenders, this group attempted to spread a fabricated narrative against one of Karnataka’s most revered Hindu institutions. Initially, even some Hindus were misled by their orchestrated claims, but as the truth emerged, it became clear that this was a deliberate conspiracy fueled and supported by fake human rights activists and a Christian pastor, John Simon, who posed as a Human Rights Commission officer. His role raises alarming questions: What connection does a Christian pastor have with temple affairs? Is there a larger conversion syndicate operating behind this plot? Are external communist elements from Kerala influencing the narrative against Dharmasthala? Every move seems to be part of a calculated design. Hindus must now recognize this; these are not isolated incidents but systematic propaganda attacks on Hindu Dharma. This is the time for unity, awareness, and unwavering defense of our sacred institutions against such deceitful forces.