Sowjanya rape and murder case reinvestigation

The Supreme Court of India has ordered a fresh reinvestigation into the 2012 rape and murder of 17-year-old Sowjanya in Dharmasthala, Karnataka. The court mandated the formation of a new Special Investigation Team (SIT) to complete the probe within three months, specifically directing that officials from the local police, CID, and CBI involved in previous investigations be excluded to ensure transparency.

Following this directive, the Karnataka government formed an SIT led by IPS officer N. Shashikumar. The team, which includes members CK Sudhir Kumar Reddy, Nikhila James, Lokesh Jaglasar, and Venkatesh Prasanna, is tasked with submitting its report to the court within the three-month deadline.

The original case involved the disappearance and death of Sowjanya Ujire in October 2012. After investigations moved from local police to the Karnataka CID and then the CBI, a special CBI court acquitted the sole accused, Santosh Rao, in June 2023 due to insufficient evidence. The CBI has since challenged that acquittal in the Karnataka High Court.

Following a September 21 Supreme Court order, the SIT has officially launched its fresh probe. Inspector General of Police N. Shashi Kumar held an initial meeting in Mangaluru to establish investigation strategies and a course of action. To facilitate the process, dedicated offices have been established in Mangaluru and Belthangady.