Sowjanya case reinvestigation: IGP Chetan Singh Rathore replaces N Shashi Kumar as the SIT chief

Sowjanya case reinvestigation: IGP Chetan Singh Rathore replaces N Shashi Kumar as the SIT chief

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Oct 30, 2026: The Karnataka government has replaced the head of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged rape and murder of 17-year-old Sowjanya near Dharmasthala in 2012.

According to a revised government order issued on October 30, Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chetan Singh Rathore has been appointed as the new SIT chief, replacing IGP N. Shashi Kumar.

Shashi Kumar had reportedly sought to be relieved of the responsibility following allegations questioning his integrity in connection with the re-investigation.

The government has also replaced Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Venkatesh Prasanna, who had requested to be relieved from the SIT. ASP Srinidhi of Hassan has been appointed in his place.

On September 21, the Supreme Court accepted a petition filed by Sowjanya’s mother, Kusumavathi, and directed the State government to re-investigate the case within three months.

Following the order, the government constituted the SIT on September 24, appointing Shashi Kumar as its chief. The team also included Mangaluru Police Commissioner and DIG Sudheer Kumar Reddy, along with officers Nisha James, Lokesh Jagalsar and Venkatesh Prasanna.