Beltangady: Finally, Sowjanya case handed over to CBI

Daijiworld Media Network - Beltangady

Updated

Beltangady, Nov 6: After days of protests, petitions and public outbursts, the state government has finally handed over the sensational case of rape and murder of Sowjanya to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the top investigating agency of the country.

This was announced by home minister K J George on Wednesday November 6 at Davangere.

"Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has taken a decision to hand over the high-profile case to the Central Bureau of Investigation," K J George told reporters after a review meeting with the district police here.

17-year-old Sowjanya had been found raped and murdered near Dharmasthala in October 2012. A year later, investigation into the case gained momentum after media began highlighting the issue and locals began rising in protest demanding CBI inquiry.

The government had first handed over the case to CID, which submitted its 15-page report last week, holding Santosh Rao, who was arrested soon after the incident, as the accused. It gave clean chit to Nischal Jain, nephew of Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari Dr D Veerendra Heggade, and to Mallik Jain, Uday Kella and Dheeraj Jain, all of whom had been named by the victim's parents and other local leaders like Mahesh Thimarodi.

Harshendra Kumar, brother of Dr Heggade, had appeared before the CID and presented records, including passport, visa and bank transactions of his son (Nischal Jain) in the US to show he was not in the country when the crime was committed.

Various organizations together with MLAs Vasanth Bangera and Shakuntala Shetty, had been calling for CBI inquiry into the case, alleging that CID inquiry had been just an eye-wash. The entire Dakshina Kannada district as well as Udupi and even Bangalore have witnessed several massive protests demanding justice.

Earlier this week, Dr Veerendra Heggade too had written a letter to the chief minister urging for a transparent and thorough CBI inquiry into the case.

Sowjanya's uncle Vittal Gowda expressed dissatisfaction with the government's decision and said the case should be handled by a committee monitored by the Supreme Court. "I don't know whether CBI will conduct the probe without any political influence or pressure. The Supreme Court should give directions to form a committee and monitor the investigations," he said.

Speaking to daijiworld, MLA Vasanth Bangera welcomed the government's decision and added, "This was expected, it was only a matter of time before the case would have been handed over to the CBI. I am sure that justice will be done and all speculations will be put to rest. But people need to have patience as it may take sometime."

Thimarodi, speaking to daijiworld, said that the government handed over the case to CBI after Dr Veerendra Heggade wrote to the CM.

He further said it was a victory for him and others who have been leading the struggle, but still, it does not ensure that justice would be done. "The CID inquiry was not complete and had many loopholes. We have planned a massive protest at Nehru Maidan on November 9 where one lac people will gather to demand justice for Sowjanya. The government has been trying to curb our struggle," he said.

With PTI Inputs

• Beltangady: Sowjanya case - Dr Heggade writes to CM urging CBI probe
• Mangalore: CID report false; ready to shed blood to get justice for Sowjanya - Thimarodi
• Demand for CBI enquiry in Sowjanya case echoes in Bantwal
• CID names Santosh as accused in Sowjanya case, gives clean chit to Nischal
• Mangalore: Sowjanya case - Let struggle for justice reach every village - Kemar Swamiji 
• Bangalore: CID report in Sowjanya case within a week, says George
• Udupi: Komu Souharda Vedike seeks CBI probe into Sowjanya case
• Kundapur rises in support of Dr Veerendra Heggade
• Beltangady: Sowjanya case will be discussed in parliament: Prakash Karat
• Beltangady: Justice for Sowjanya - Rally for CBI probe witnesses gigantic crowd
• Mangalore: CFI members attempt to gatecrash DC's office, detained
• Konkani Kharvi community condemns talk against Dharmasthala
• M’lore: Sowjanya case should be handed over to CBI – HJV
• Janajagruthi Vedike condemns defamation of Dharmadhikari
• Kundapur: DYFI demands CBI probe into Sowjanya’s case 
• Sowjanya case: Protestors attempt to gherao CM's residence
• Mangalore: On Sowjanya's birthday, students demand CBI probe into her death
• Mangalore: Janardhan Poojary backs Dr Heggade, questions intention behind allegations
• Beltangady: False allegations will not deter Dharmasthala Kshetra - Dr Heggade
• Allegations aimed at maligning Dharmasthala, says a hurt Dr Heggade
• Dharmasthala people condemn allegations against Dr Heggade's family
• Beltangady: Thimarodi, Sowjanya's parents get grand welcome; CID steps up probe
• Beltangady: My nephew has nothing to do with Sowjanya case - Dr Veerendra Heggade
• Mangalore: Powerful people involved in Sowjanya murder case: Thimarodi
• Mangalore: Sowjanya case - Organizations join hands to demand CBI probe
• Bangalore: Home minister orders fresh CID probe into Sowjanya murder case 
• Beltangady: Sowjanya was Murdered at a Different Spot, Claim Family Members
• Beltangady: Sowjanya Murder - CoD Team Arrives, Begins Probe
• Mangalore: Sri Rama Sene Calls for CBI Probe into Sowjanya Case
• Beltangady: Sowjanya Murder Case Handed over to CoD
• Mangalore: HJV Condemns Dharmasthala GP's Statement Against Kemar Swamiji
• Beltangady Murders - Dr Heggade Calls for Probe, Slams Rumours
• Beltangady: 'Vested Interests Using Sowjanya Case for Publicity'
• Sowjanya Case: MLA Appeals People to Stop Spreading Rumour SMS
• Sowjanya Murder: Kemar Swamiji Calls for Fresh Probe, to File PIL in HC
• Beltangady: Sowjanya Murder Case - Family Demands CoD Probe
• Beltangady: Silent Protest Held Demanding Justice in Sowjanya Murder Case
• Beltangady: Mentally Ill Santhosh Raped, Killed Sowjanya - SP
• Udupi: Students Led by ABVP Condemn Sowjanya's Murder
• Sowjanya Murder - One Arrested, Locals Demand Police to Hand him over
• Beltangady: Sowjanya Murder - Angry Students, Citizens Demand Justice
• Belthangady: 17-year-old Girl Raped, Brutally Killed