Soujanya case: SIT holds meeting in Mangaluru, plans Belthangady visit

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Oct 14, 2026: The Special Investigation Team (SIT), constituted to conduct further investigation into the Soujanya rape and murder case registered at Belthangady police station 14 years ago, held a meeting on Tuesday to discuss the probe.

The meeting took place at the SIT office in the old Deputy Commissioner’s office complex in Mangaluru under the leadership of SIT chief N. Shashikumar.

SIT members Nisha James and Lokesh Jagalasar, Mangaluru Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy and other senior police officers attended the meeting.

Senior IPS officer Lokesh Jagalasar has been appointed as the investigating officer, while Mangaluru Central Crime Branch (CCB) ACP Manoj Kumar Naik will serve as the assistant investigating officer.

A total of 16 officers from various departments have reportedly been assigned to assist the SIT in the investigation.

The SIT team is likely to visit Belthangady within the next two days. During the visit, the team is expected to inspect Soujanya’s house and the spot where she was murdered.

According to sources, the team may also question Soujanya’s family members and other individuals as part of the further investigation.