Bengaluru: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has lodged an appeal with the Karnataka High Court to challenge the verdict of the CBI Special Court in the highly publicized Dharmasthala Soujanya rape and murder case. This case has been marred by controversy, with the CBI aiming to establish Santosh Rao as the perpetrator behind the heinous crime.
The tragic incident revolves around Soujanya, a student of SDM College in Dharmasthala, who was abducted, raped, and murdered. Her lifeless body was discovered near Pangala, close to Dharmasthala, on October 10, 2012. Initially, Santosh Rao was arrested by the Belthangadi police in connection with the case. However, concerns arose that the police had not conducted a thorough investigation.
After extensive efforts, the case was eventually handed over to the CBI. Following an 11-year trial, the CBI Special Court delivered its verdict on June 16. Surprisingly, the court acquitted Santosh Rao, granting the CBI a 60-day window to file an appeal. This appeal, however, has been submitted to the High Court after a four-month delay, contesting the decision of the CBI Special Court and requesting a re-examination of the case.
The central figure in the CBI appeal is Santosh Rao, the accused in the case. Protests have arisen, demanding a fresh investigation into the Soujanya case, yet the state government has stated that the CBI is not authorized to conduct a reinvestigation. Consequently, Soujanya’s family has refrained from appealing to the court in this regard.
The case has witnessed significant scrutiny and debate, and the CBI’s allegations against Santosh Rao add a fresh layer of complexity to this long-standing legal battle.