B’luru: Over 60 organizations to stage massive protest, demand reinvestigation of Sowjanya Case
Bengaluru: In a significant development, “Pragatipara Sangatanegala Horata Samithi,” a coalition of more than 60 + organizations from Karnataka staged a massive protest at the freedom park on Friday, demanding a fair investigation by the SIT (Special Investigation Team) into the decade-old Sowjanya murder case which has now again resurfaced. The murder, which occurred more than a decade ago, is now being brought back into the spotlight, additionally with renewed hope for justice under the newly inducted Congress government in Karnataka.
The protesters have put forth several demands including, an SIT probe into the matter, secondly an action against Dr. Adam and Dr. Rashmi N, a Gynecologist of Belthangady medical hospital who did not give proper postmortem reports, The then SP, Abhishek Goyal, Investigating officer Yogeesh Kumar, Dr. Mahabala Shetty who examined Santosh Rao. Santhosh Rao and his family, who were victims of police brutality despite being innocent, should be compensated, were some of the demands from the protesting groups.
During the event, activist Mahesh Timarodi expressed outrage, condemning the government and police officers for their handling of Sowjanya's rape and murder case. He pointed out that the Special Court of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had acquitted the accused Santosh Rao, who had previously been detained during the initial investigation. However, he said that the flaws and discrepancies in the case's inquiry have necessitated a fresh investigation, preferably through a Special Investigation Team (SIT), to ensure a fair trial.
CAITU leader Prakash also addressed the gathering and raised concerns saying that “Problems beyond our measure surround Sowjanya's case. Following the implementation of the free travel scheme for women, the income of Dharmasthala has surged. The BJP made him a member of the Rajya Sabha. In addition, Dharmasthala's microfinance scheme has trapped women across the state in a debt trap. In the midst of such a political situation, we are looking for those responsible for Sowjanya’s tragic death," he said.
“We have strong hopes in the Congress government”
“There is a revival of hope after the Congress took power in the state since it is during the period of the BJP which had handed over the case to the CID gave a clean chit to accused Malik, Dheeraj, and Ujaya. The issue now is not picking up just because the Congress is back in power, it is after the arrested Santosh Rao was acquitted,” said Sathya, a former Journalist and a consultant speaking to the Vartha Bharathi.
Meanwhile, Janani Vatsala, a student of VVPuram law college, said “currently looking at the development, we don't trust any of the political parties. I urge the Chief Minister and Women and ld development Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar to intervene and bring justice to the matter. Santosh Rao was jailed even though he was innocent. It is a matter of shame since it is a violation of human rights.”
She further urged the students to speak up against the atrocities in the country and also asked the youth from Karnataka to unite together against such cruelty.
Recapping Sowjanya’s case in detail
Sowjanya a 17-year-old Pre-University student at SDM College Ujire was brutally raped and murdered brutally in October 2012. Her body was found half naked with mud in her genitals concealing the evidence near the Nethravathi river. The incident brought the towns of Ujire and Dharmasthala under fire with many staging protests. The police were accused of protecting the actual culprits. Sowjanya's family alleges that the allegations were not thoroughly investigated. Meanwhile, Santhosh Rao, who had been arrested by the police and served six years in prison, has now been proven innocent.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Fire breaks out at Raichur Thermal Power Station, cause for accident under probe
Raichur: A fire broke out at Unit 4 of the Raichur Thermal Power Station (RTPS) near Shaktinagar in the taluk shortly past midnight on Sunday.
The power station officials, who were alarmed by the blaze, brought it to the notice of the fire brigade. The fire brigade personnel arrived at the spot and succeeded in extinguishing the fire.
The cause of the fire at the RTPS unit, however, is unknown. Also, no fatality has been reported so far.
