Karnataka Minister Kharge vows justice in Soujanya 2012 case; SIT officer seeks exit
Synopsis
More than a decade after the alleged Dharmasthala gang rape and murder, Karnataka's freshly constituted SIT is already under strain — with a key officer seeking to exit following objections from the victim's own family. Home Minister Kharge's public assurance that the government holds 'no rigid stand' on officer appointments signals the probe's composition could change before it has even begun in earnest.
Key Takeaways
Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge on 30 September reaffirmed the government's commitment to justice in the alleged 2012 Soujanya Dharmasthala gang rape and murder case .
The state constituted a five-member SIT on 24 September , headed by IGP N.
Shashikumar , following a Supreme Court directive.
Bengaluru Rural ASP Venkatesh Prasanna has formally requested to be relieved from the SIT after Soujanya's family and social activists raised objections to his inclusion.
Kharge stated the government is 'ready to verify' concerns about officer appointments and holds 'no rigid stand' on the SIT's composition.
The SIT has been given three months to complete its probe and submit a report to the competent court.
Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge on Wednesday, 30 September reaffirmed the state government's commitment to delivering justice in the alleged 2012 Dharmasthala gang rape and murder case involving Soujanya, even as a key member of the newly formed Special Investigation Team (SIT) — Bengaluru Rural ASP Venkatesh Prasanna — formally wrote to the state government requesting to be relieved of his assignment on the team.
Background: Supreme Court Order and SIT Constitution
The Karnataka government constituted a five-member SIT on 24 September, following directions from the Supreme Court on a plea seeking reinvestigation into the decade-old case. The team is headed by IGP N. Shashikumar and includes Mangaluru City Police Commissioner C.H. Sudheer Kumar Reddy, Intelligence SP Nisha James, CID SP Lokesh Jagalsar, and Bengaluru Rural ASP Venkatesh Prasanna. The SIT has been given three months to complete its investigation and submit a report to the competent court.
Objections from Family and Activists
Following the SIT's constitution, social activists and members of Soujanya's family reportedly raised objections to the inclusion of certain officers, with particular concern directed at ASP Prasanna. Specific allegations were reportedly made against him, though the nature of those allegations was not officially detailed. In response to this pressure, Prasanna has now formally requested to be relieved from the special team.
What the Government Said
Responding to the unfolding situation, Minister Kharge sought to assure the public and the victim's family that the SIT was formed in good faith. 'The SIT was formed with the best intentions. We do not have any bad intentions or any intention to cause damage to anyone. After the SIT was formed, some people, especially family members, have raised objections. That has been brought to my notice,' he said.
Kharge added that the government's core objective remained bringing the case to a definitive conclusion. 'We do not want to hurt anyone's sentiments. Our objective is that this case should see closure, the truth should finally come out, and justice should be ensured,' he stated.
Government Open to Reconsidering Officer Appointments
Notably, Kharge indicated that the government holds no rigid position on the composition of the SIT. 'If the public and family have issues with the appointment of certain officers, the government is ready to verify that also. Ultimately, we are here for the people. We do not have any rigid stand on this. We cannot hurt their sentiments. We will act according to the Supreme Court order,' he said.
This comes amid sustained public pressure over the handling of the Soujanya case, which has remained contentious for over a decade. The Supreme Court's intervention and the fresh SIT probe signal that the case is far from settled — and the government's response to the family's concerns over officer appointments will be closely watched in the days ahead.
Point of View
And the minister publicly signals openness to reconstituting the panel, it raises a legitimate question: was due diligence done on officer selection before the Supreme Court-mandated probe was announced? The Soujanya case has already survived more than a decade of contested investigations — the family's distrust of specific officers is not a minor procedural hiccup but a signal that the state must earn confidence, not just assert it. Whether Kharge's assurances translate into a credibly restructured SIT, or merely buy political time, will define the government's accountability on this case.
NationPress
30 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Soujanya Dharmasthala case?
The Soujanya case refers to the alleged gang rape and murder of a young woman in Dharmasthala, Karnataka, in 2012. The case has remained deeply contested for over a decade, and the Supreme Court recently ordered a fresh investigation through a newly constituted SIT.
Why has the SIT officer ASP Venkatesh Prasanna sought a transfer?
Bengaluru Rural ASP Venkatesh Prasanna has formally requested to be relieved from the SIT after members of Soujanya's family and social activists raised objections to his inclusion on the team and reportedly made allegations against him. The specific nature of those allegations has not been officially disclosed.
What did Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge say about the SIT controversy?
Kharge stated that the SIT was formed with good intentions and that the government is open to examining concerns about specific officer appointments. He said the government holds 'no rigid stand' on the SIT's composition and will act in accordance with the Supreme Court's order.
What are the SIT's timelines and mandate?
The five-member SIT, constituted on 24 September and headed by IGP N. Shashikumar, has been given three months to complete its investigation and submit a report to the competent court, as directed by the Supreme Court.
Who are the members of the SIT probing the Soujanya case?
The SIT comprises IGP N. Shashikumar (head), Mangaluru City Police Commissioner C.H. Sudheer Kumar Reddy, Intelligence SP Nisha James, CID SP Lokesh Jagalsar, and Bengaluru Rural ASP Venkatesh Prasanna — the last of whom has now sought to be relieved from the team.
