Sowjanya murder case refers to the death of 17-year-old student Sowjanya in Dharmasthala, Karnataka, India, on October 9, 2012. The case remains unsolved, with the accused acquitted in 2023 due to insufficient evidence.[1] The incident has drawn attention to allegations of investigative lapses and broader concerns about law enforcement and governance in the region.

Background

Sowjanya was a second-year pre-university student at Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara College in Ujire. She was reported missing on October 9, 2012, and her body was found near the Nethravathi River the following day. Initial investigations by local police faced criticism for alleged mishandling of evidence and procedural irregularities.[2]

Investigation

Initial investigation

Local police arrested Santosh Rao shortly after the incident, based on suspicion from his criminal record. His arrest faced public criticism regarding the sufficiency of the evidence, leading to calls for an independent investigation.[3]

Central Bureau of Investigation

In 2014, following public pressure, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) took over the case. Despite extensive investigation, no conclusive evidence emerged, leading to the acquittal of Santosh Rao in June 2023 due to lack of evidence.[4]

Allegations and Responses

Activists and the victim's family have alleged that influential local figures, possibly linked to Veerendra Heggade, have obstructed justice to shield the actual culprits. Reports have also indicated around 462 unnatural deaths in Dharmasthala over ten years (up to 2013), raising concerns about systemic issues in the region.[5]

In response, Heggade stated that the reputation of Dharmasthala is being tarnished by opponents of its development, reaffirming his commitment to community service despite criticisms.[6]

The unresolved nature of the case continues to generate public discourse, especially online. In 2025, YouTuber Sameer MD faced legal action for allegedly hurting religious sentiments through a video discussing the case. The Karnataka High Court subsequently stayed the FIR filed against him, granting interim relief.[7]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Mystery of Dharmasthala: Eleven years and many probes later, no trace of Soujanya's killer Premium". The Hindu. 28 July 2023 – via www.thehindu.com.
  2. ^ "Karnataka's lingering shame: Sowjanya's murder and the cops unpunished". The News Minute. Retrieved 2025-03-21.
  3. ^ "Soujanya murder case: Karnataka HC stays FIR against YouTuber". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 2025-03-21.
  4. ^ "Sowjanya Murder Case: Legal and Political Implications". The News Minute. Retrieved 2025-03-21.
  5. ^ "Protesters demand probe into all unnatural deaths in Dharmasthala". The Hindu. 16 November 2021 – via www.thehindu.com.
  6. ^ "Name of Dharmasthala being misused, says Veerendra Heggade". The News Minute. Retrieved 2025-03-21.
  7. ^ "Soujanya murder case: Karnataka HC stays FIR against YouTuber". The Week. Retrieved 2025-03-21.
Allikas: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Draft:Sowjanya_Murder_Case
No tags for this post.