Karnataka HC grants permission for "Justice for Sowjanya" protest at Bengaluru's Freedom Park
Bengaluru, Mar 19 (PTI): The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday granted permission for a peaceful protest at Freedom Park, Bengaluru, in connection with the ongoing demand for justice in the Sowjanya case.
The protest is being organised to demand justice for Soujanya (17), a second-year Pre-University student of the Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara College who was allegedly raped and murder on October 9, 2012.
The order was delivered by Justice M Nagaprasanna while hearing petitions filed by Karnataka Karmikara Vedike and Native Empowering and Equipping Team for Hope and Interaction.
While allowing the protest, the court underscored the importance of maintaining peace and public order. It stated that if there was any breach of the law during the demonstration, authorities would be within their rights to take appropriate legal action.
Justice Nagaprasanna observed, "I deem it appropriate to permit the petitioners to hold a peaceful protest, strictly in consonance with the law. If there is any violation of the observations made in the judgments of the coordinate bench, the respondent state is at liberty to take action in accordance with the law."
During the hearing, Advocate A Velan, representing the petitioners, informed the court that an initial request for holding the protest was submitted to the Tahsildar in Belthangady Taluk. The request was initially approved but later withdrawn following an objection from an advocate.
The petitioners argued that the state government could not suppress the fundamental right to protest by issuing blanket prohibitory orders. They contended that preventing citizens from demonstrating peacefully would amount to an infringement of their constitutional rights under Article 19(1)(a), which guarantees freedom of speech and expression. Velan assured the court that the protest would be conducted lawfully.
Soujanya case was widely discussed case in Karnataka, especially in the coastal region of the state. Her body was found near the Nethravathi river and her hands were tied to a tree with her shawl.
The police charged Santhosh Rao with the murder but he was acquitted by a Bengaluru Sessions Court in 2023. Throughout the legal proceedings, Soujanya's family maintained that Santhosh Rao had been wrongfully implicated, alleging flaws in the investigation and asserting that Veerendra Heggade, a religious leader from Dharmasthala, shielded the actual perpetrators.
The acquittal prompted public protests and renewed calls for a fresh inquiry into the case.
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Above average monsoon expected from July to September in several districts of Karnataka this year
Bengaluru: A Cabinet sub-committee meeting chaired by Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda has reviewed Karnataka's preparedness for the upcoming monsoon season, with expectations of above average rainfall across several districts this year.
According to officials, districts, particularly in north Karnataka, have already experienced good pre-monsoon showers, and more than average rainfall is anticipated from July to September across the state, as reported by The Hindu on Friday.
As of now, the water storage in Karnataka’s 14 major reservoirs stands at 422.11 tmcft, compared to 280.02 tmcft at the same time last year.
However, Gowda expressed concern over subpar water levels in some dams and instructed officials to account for potential water losses due to evaporation in the coming months, the report added. He emphasised the priority of ensuring adequate water supply for drinking purposes over irrigation needs.
Twelve districts, including Bengaluru Urban, Bengaluru Rural, Ramanagara, among others are likely to face acute drinking water shortages. Specific instructions was given to identify issues being faced by RO drinking water units in Bengaluru city. The minister asserted that they should receive 24/7 power supply and repaired when need arises on priority.
