Newskarnataka-Mangalore and Bangalore

Bangalore : With protests rocking across the state seeking Justice for Sowjanya, the state government has finally yielded to pressure and has issued an order entrusting the rape and murder case of Ujire SDM College Student Sowjanya to the CBI.

Sowjanya who went missing when she was on way home from college on October 9 last year, was found dead the next day. A couple of days later, one Santosh Rao who was found lurking suspiciously near Gommata Hills was caught hold of by locals and handed over to the police accusing him as the killer. Allegations were also heard that the police who failed to investigate on the right track, were shielding the real accused. When even the CID investigation failed to make headway even a year later, there were widespread protests forcing the government to expedite CID probe. Meanwhile, allegations were heard that the CID report was leaked before it was submitted to the government. The CID report too has blamed Santosh Rao as the accused.

Now that the government has entrusted the case to the CBI, it is considered a victory for the various organizations which have been fighting for the cause. Now, it is left to be seen how the CBI will carry forward the investigation and secure justice to Sowjanya family.

Hopes of Justice through CBI probe: MLA Vasanth Bangera

Commenting on the development, Belthangady MLA Vasanth Bangera said “I am extremely pleased with the state government announcement to hand over the case to the CBI. There is much confusion regarding the case. The police have not investigated on the right track. Even the CID report has no more detail than the FIR in the case. Moreover the report was leaked even before it was submitted to the government. The CID report had nothing new. Now, there is some hope that Sowjanya family will get justice through the CBI investigation.”

Let CBI probe under SC surveillance : Kusumavathi, Sowjanya’s mother

Reacting on the government decision, Kusumavathi, mother of Sowjanya strongly demanded that the CBI should investigate under Supreme Court surveillance.”The CID has not considered any of our allegation. The police and CID have ignored all evidences. The Police have also destroyed all evidences. The CBI should investigate the case thoroughly,” she demanded.

Let all unnatural death cases be probed : Mahesh Shetty Thimarody

“This is the first victory for the agitation launched by various organizations irrespective of caste and creed. Our next demand is that the CBI should investigate the case under Supreme Court surveillance. Apart from Sowjanya case, all the over 400 cases of unnatural deaths in Dharmasthala too must be investigated by CBI.”

Celebrations in Mangalore

In Mangalore too the government decision has been widely welcomed and there have been celebrations in different parts of the city.

The Government’s decision to hand over the investigations to the CBI was announced by Home Minister KJ George at a press meet held in Davanagere on November 6, Wednesday. As the government is yet to issue official orders in this regard the next move of Mahesh Shetty Thimarodi and the Prajaprabhutva Vedike is keenly awaited. Various organizations have already been demanding a CBI probe under Supreme Court surveillance. It is now left to be seen if the government would agree to this demand too.