Beltangady: Sowjanya Murder - CoD Team Arrives, Begins Probe
Daijiworld Media Network - Beltangady
Beltangady, Nov 30: A Corps of Detectives (CoD) squad has arrived in the taluk to carry out investigations into the rape and murder case of Sowjanya, the 17-year-old student of SDM College Ujire.
The team led by CoD inspector Gopal has collected the first information report (FIR) in connection with the case, it is learnt.
Sowjanya, daughter of Chandappa Gowda, was found brutally raped and murdered on October 10 at Pangala near Dharmasthala.
The state government ordered CoD probe into the sensational case after intense public pressure. Though police had insisted that there was only accused in the case - Santosh Rao who was arrested after the public had handed over him - doubts had arose over involment of more people in the crime.
People had taken to streets in protest and shut down the entire taluk demanding justice. Sowjanya's parents and other family members too had urged for probe by higher investigating agencies. Religious leaders like Dr Veerendra Heggade and Kemar Sri Esha Vittaldas Swamiji had demanded CoD or CBI probe, and the latter had even visited the family. Rumours through SMS too were doing the rounds alleging influencial hands behind the case.
Finally, bowing to the pressure, the stated government ordered CoD probe. The decision brought some relief to Sowjanya's family and to the people. The final report of the CoD will be keenly awaited.
Meanwhile, a case was registered against Guruvayankere Nagarika Seva Trust president Somanath Nayak for sending SMS allegedly defaming the name of Dharmasthala. The complaint was lodged by Guruvayankere resident Sukesh in Beltangay police station.