Soujanya case: Mahesh Shetty Thimarodi announces ‘Justice March’ from Ujire to Belthangady on October 10

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, September 29, 2026: Activist Mahesh Shetty Thimarodi has welcomed the Supreme Court’s order for a fresh investigation into the 2012 rape and murder of Soujanya in Ujire near Dharmasthala, calling it a significant development after 14 years of campaigning for a reinvestigation. The Supreme Court ordered the fresh probe on September 21, with the investigation to be completed within three months.

Addressing a press conference, Thimarodi said the 14-year-long struggle had ultimately resulted in the Supreme Court directing a fresh investigation and described the development as a major step forward in the case.

He said a ‘Nyayada Nadege’ (Justice March) would be held on October 10, marking 14 years since Soujanya’s death. The march will be held from Ujire to Belthangady, he said, adding that a team of advocates from the Supreme Court and Karnataka High Court would participate.

Thimarodi said he was confident that the fresh investigation would help establish the facts, irrespective of which agency conducted it. He added that any shortcomings noticed during the investigation would be brought to the attention of the Supreme Court.

He also referred to Santhosh Rao, who was acquitted by a special CBI court in 2023, and said two investigative agencies had already given him a clean chit. The Karnataka High Court later dismissed the CBI’s challenge to the acquittal, according to reports.

Thimarodi alleged that shortcomings in the earlier investigations had been highlighted by the courts and expressed hope that the fresh probe would establish who was responsible for Soujanya’s death.

The Karnataka government has since constituted a five-member SIT headed by IGP N Shashi Kumar to carry out the reinvestigation. The team has been given three months to complete the probe and submit its report.