SC issues notices to CBI, Karnataka govt; seeks report in Sowjanya case

SC issues notices to CBI, Karnataka govt; seeks report in Sowjanya case

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, Mar 24, 2026: In a key development in the 13-year-old Sowjanya rape and murder case, the Supreme Court on Monday issued notices to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Karnataka government.

The apex court passed the order while hearing a petition filed by Kusumavathi, the mother of the deceased student.

Sowjanya, a student of SDM College in Ujire and a resident of Pangala in Dharmasthala, had gone missing in October 2012. Her body was found the next day at Mannasanka, showing signs of brutal sexual assault and murder. The case was initially probed by Beltangady police, later by the CID, and eventually handed over to the CBI.

During the investigation, Santhosh Rao of Karkala was arrested and charged. However, a special CBI court in Bengaluru recently acquitted him due to lack of evidence. The court also noted serious lapses in the investigation and observed that the actual perpetrators had not been identified.

Based on these findings, Kusumavathi had earlier approached the High Court before moving the Supreme Court, seeking a fresh and thorough probe to bring the real culprits to justice.

After examining the case details, the Supreme Court directed the CBI to submit a report on the status and conduct of the investigation, and also sought a response from the Karnataka government.

The family’s long-standing fight for justice has once again come into focus with the Supreme Court’s intervention.