The Karnataka High Court has directed the State government and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to respond to a petition seeking a new probe into the 2012 rape and murder case of 17-year-old Soujanya. Filed by Chandappa Gowda, the victim’s father, the petition alleges shortcomings in the original investigation and seeks the prosecution of three individuals previously named as suspects.
Justice K. Natarajan issued the notice and transferred the case to a Division Bench upon the petitioner’s request. The petitioner contends that the acquitted individual, Santosh Rao, was not the true perpetrator and urges the CBI to form a special investigation team for a thorough inquiry. Additionally, the petitioner calls for action against the initial investigation officer for negligence, as highlighted by the trial court’s observations.
Despite a previous petition for reinvestigation being dismissed in 2021, the father persists in his quest for justice, citing flaws in the prior investigation and seeking accountability for those responsible.