Mangalore: Sowjanya's case apart, other mysteries too call for attention

Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore

Mangalore, Nov 27: Though Sowjanya rape and murder case has been handed over to the CBI after intense public pressure, there are  some other mysterious deaths in Dakshina Kannada that are yet to be solved and demand equal attention.

For instance, even after 2.5 years, the gruesome murder of a mother and her seven year-old daughter in broad daylight at Panjimogeru remains unsolved and the case has been handed over to COD.

Speaking to Daijiworld, Munir Katipalla said, “People are losing faith in the police department. Although it has been 2.5 years after the brutal Panjimogeru double murder the police have failed to solve the case. Even political representatives, who have been elected now, had then joined us in the protest demanding a proper CBI inquiry into the mysterious death of Razia and her daughter Zuha Fathima. People have lost faith in the police department and are instead visiting black magicians to locate the culprits. Although the case is presently with COD, it should handed over to CBI for a proper probe.”   

The Mangalore district court has also approved narco analysis test for the three suspects Hameed, Haneef, and Mohammed Ali, but yet the process has not begun.

Hameed, husband of Razia , police suspect in the case, talking to Daijiworld, said, “I am ready to face any type of probe. We have urged the chief minister as well as various sate and union ministers to hand over this case to the CBI. The truth behind the murder should be disclosed as I want to know who killed my wife and why? And I hope the court will surely provide justice,” he said.
 
Haneef, brother of Razia, another suspect in the case, told Daijiworld, “I am ready to be subjected to any kind of inquiry. I faced a lot of harassment in this case; I cannot even go to work properly. Now, I am waiting for narco analysis test. I have my doubts that there are some other suspects and even they should be investigated.”

Sowjanya and other cases

Sowjanya, Akshata, Soumya

A few days before the state government announced its stand on handing over the Sowjanya case to CBI, Beltangady MLA Vasant Bangera had clearly written a letter to the chief minister demanding a CBI probe into Sowjanya’s brutal rape and murder in which he stressed about carelessness committed by then sub inspector Yogish Kumar who hurriedly tried to wind up the case without a proper investigation.
 
When Daijiworld team contacted Bangera over phone and asked his opinion on the CoD investigation and CBI inquiry into the case, he said, “People are living in fear and confusion in the taluk. Hence, there is a need to put an end to this so people live a peaceful life. I don’t have any faith in the CoD.”

When he was asked what he would say if the CBI comes up with the same report as CoD, he said, “I will think that there is no justice in this country. Anyway, the case has been handed over to the CBI. We have to wait in patience for the report”.
 
Months after Sowjanya’s brutal sexual assault, there was another case in the district which left the region in shock. It was yet another suspected rape and murder of a 22-year-old girl Soumya in Baltila village, Kalladka.  

Akshata, an 18-year-old student, who went missing was  found dead by the river side in Bolar. Even Akshatha’s friend Madan went missing on the same day. Till today, police have not solved the mystery behind Akshatha’s death or even traced Madan.

Role of police

As we contemplate the mysterious deaths in Dakshina Kannada it appears that the police department is not serious and a few police personnel’s incompetence is evident in investigating the case. Although the police department possesses various technologies and forensic, criminology, and victimology experts, the  police department has failed in handling these cases.

Forensic evidence plays a vital role in conviction or acquittal in the cases. Hence, collection, transport, and storage of forensic evidence is a prominent component in rape cases. But in Sowjanya’s rape and murder case it is being alleged that the sub-inspector intentionally botched up the forensic evidence.    

People losing faith

In these four cases, there were two instances where the victims' relatives, fed up with police inaction, approached black magicians to express their grievance and find a solution. Police have not been able to trace the culprits though it has been several months. It is also alleged that people who approached police stations to express their grievances in the above cases were not treated fairly.

Role of media

It is worth asking if the fourth pillar of democracy is active in keeping the sexual assault cases alive till the culprits are behind bars, mobilizing the people against the injustice people are facing today.  For instance, in Sowjanya’s rape and murder case, it may be said that media has done its job as a watch dog of democracy. Although all dailies did not keep the issue alive, a few newspapers were actively involved and played a vital role pressurizing the government to take up a proper probe into the case. People forming a group in their vicinity were demanding justice. But when a state level media took this issue seriously and telecast a programme, all the scattered people’s groups united to fight and demand justice. Moreover, a few revolutionary rebel groups also took birth in the name of democracy.  As soon as the media intervened in the issue of Sowjanya’s brutal sexual assault and murder, CoD quickened the investigation and submitted a report to the government.

Active Participation of Netizens in Social Media

‘Justice For Kumari Sowjanya|Join this Page To Support Us’, a page created to provide justice  played fantastic role in keeping this case alive with 47,094 likes or supporters.  Thousands of people could easily understand the cause it served.  In the case of Sowjanya’s issue the purpose of social media was served.  As the demand for justice rose through shares, comments, and  likes in Facebook, people themselves got ready for a revolutionary change. It also proved that with the help of social media there are tremendous ways to change society.