Sowjanya case reinvestigation: Addl SP Venkatesh Prasanna seeks removal from SIT

Mangalore Today News Network

Bengaluru, Oct 1, 2026: Bengaluru Rural Additional Superintendent of Police (Addl SP) Venkatesh Prasanna has written to the state government seeking to be excluded from the Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted to reinvestigate the Sowjanya rape and murder case.

According to reports, Prasanna requested his removal on moral grounds, citing the lack of trust and confidence expressed in him by Sowjanya’s family members.

Seventeen-year-old Sowjanya was raped and murdered in Dharmasthala, Belthangady taluk, on October 9, 2012. The Supreme Court recently ordered a fresh investigation into the case and directed the Karnataka government to constitute an SIT, with a compliance report to be submitted within three months.

Following the Supreme Court’s directive, the state government constituted the SIT under the leadership of IGP N. Shashikumar.

The other members of the SIT are Mangaluru City Police Commissioner C. H. Sudheer Kumar Reddy, Bengaluru Intelligence SP Nisha James and Bengaluru CID SP Lokesh Jagalasar.

Amid objections raised by Sowjanya’s family over his inclusion in the team, Prasanna has sought to step aside from the investigation.