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.
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Voting begins for Assam's 126 assembly seats
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Guwahati (PTI): Polling for all 126 Assam assembly constituencies began on Thursday to decide the electoral fate of 722 candidates, officials said.
In the high-stakes election, the ruling BJP is aiming for a third consecutive term in office, while the Congress seeks to wrest power after being ousted in 2016.
Polling, being held in a single phase, began at 7 am and will conclude at 5 pm. Long queues of voters were seen outside polling stations from early morning.
An electorate of 2.50 crore, including 1.25 crore women and 318 from the third gender, can exercise their franchise in 31,490 polling stations across the state.
Prominent candidates include Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Congress state president Gaurav Gogoi, assembly Speaker Biswajit Daimary, Leader of the opposition Debabrata Saikia, AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal, Raijor Dal president Akhil Gogoi, and Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) chief Lurinjyoti Gogoi.
Several cabinet ministers, including the AGP’s Atul Bora and Keshav Mahanta, and the BPF’s Charan Boro are also in the fray.
The Congress has the highest of 99 contestants, followed by the BJP (90), AIUDF (30), NDA allies AGP (26) and BPF (11).
Opposition alliance’s Raijor Dal is contesting in 13, AJP in 10, CPI(M) in 3 and APHLC in 2. Outside the two coalitions, the AAP is contesting in 18 seats, UPPL in 18, TMC 22, JMM 16 and there are 258 independents.
The ruling NDA’s main constituents are the BJP, Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and the Bodo Peoples’ Front (BPF) while the opposition alliance comprises the Congress, Raijor Dal, Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP), CPI(M), All Party Hill Leaders Conference (APHLC) and CPI(ML).
The counting of votes is scheduled on May 4.
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