Soujanya rape-murder case: Karnataka SIT seeks CBI, CID records for fresh probe
Synopsis
More than a decade after the alleged gang rape and murder of Soujanya in Dharmasthala, a Supreme Court-mandated SIT has now formally reached out to both the CBI and CID for all records from their earlier — and ultimately inconclusive — investigations. With the main accused previously acquitted and family members already raising objections to one SIT officer's inclusion, the three-month clock on this high-stakes reinvestigation has begun under intense public scrutiny.
Key Takeaways
The Karnataka SIT has written to the CBI and CID seeking all records and evidence from their earlier investigations into the 2012 Soujanya rape-murder case .
The SIT was constituted on 24 September following a Supreme Court order for a fresh probe; it officially launched its investigation on Thursday, 1 October 2026 .
The five-member team is headed by IGP N.
Shashikumar and has a three-month deadline to submit its report.
ASP Venkatesh Prasanna has reportedly sought to be relieved from the SIT after Soujanya's family and activists raised objections to his inclusion.
State Home Minister Priyank Kharge said the government would consider the family's concerns and act in line with the Supreme Court's directions.
The earlier CBI probe resulted in an acquittal of the main accused, which prompted renewed demands and eventually the apex court's intervention.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted to re-investigate the alleged 2012 Dharmasthala gang rape and murder of Soujanya has formally written to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Crime Investigation Department (CID), seeking all available records, documents, and evidence from their earlier probes into the case, officials said on Friday, 2 October 2026.
The move marks a significant early step in the SIT's fresh investigation, which was ordered by the Supreme Court after the main accused named by the CBI was acquitted by the court — a verdict that triggered renewed public demands and legal scrutiny over the handling of the decade-old case.
SIT Officially Launches Probe
The SIT formally commenced its investigation on Thursday, with SIT Chief IGP N. Shashikumar and team members — Intelligence SP Nisha James and CID SP Lokesh Jagalsar — travelling to Mangaluru to meet Mangaluru City Police Commissioner C.H. Sudheer Kumar Reddy. The officers discussed investigation strategy and next steps, and a separate SIT office is to be set up to facilitate the probe.
The Karnataka government constituted the five-member SIT on 24 September, following the Supreme Court's directions. 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 the probe and submit its report to the competent court.
Objections Over Officer Inclusion
The SIT's composition has not been without controversy. ASP Venkatesh Prasanna has reportedly written to the state government seeking to be relieved from the team, after social activists and members of Soujanya's family raised objections to his inclusion. The concerns have added a layer of public scrutiny to the team's credibility even before the investigation gains full momentum.
What the Government Said
State Home Minister Priyank Kharge on Wednesday said the government was committed to ensuring justice and would consider concerns raised by the family and the public regarding the appointment of officers. 'The SIT was formed with the best intentions. We do not have any bad intentions or any intention to cause damage to anyone,' Kharge said, adding that the government's objective was to establish the truth. He said the government would not adopt a rigid stand and would act in accordance with the Supreme Court's directions.
Background: A Controversial Case
The Soujanya case dates to 2012, when the alleged gang rape and murder occurred in Dharmasthala, Karnataka. Both the state CID and the CBI conducted investigations over the years, but the case remained mired in controversy after the main accused identified by the CBI was acquitted. The Supreme Court's order mandating a fresh probe reflects the court's continued concern over unresolved questions surrounding the earlier investigations. Notably, this is among a small number of cases where India's apex court has directly directed a state to reconstitute its investigative machinery.
What Happens Next
The SIT is expected to examine and cross-reference all records and evidence gathered by the CBI and CID before charting its own investigative course. The team faces a tight three-month deadline to submit its findings. The outcome of the probe will be closely watched by Soujanya's family, civil society groups, and legal observers tracking accountability in high-profile crime cases in Karnataka.
Point of View
Combined with lingering questions about the original investigations, has made this case a test of Karnataka's judicial accountability more broadly. The controversy over ASP Venkatesh Prasanna's inclusion, even before the probe has gathered evidence, suggests the SIT's legitimacy will be contested at every step. For the family and activists who have spent over a decade seeking answers, the three-month timeline is both an opportunity and a risk — a rushed probe could compound the failures of the past rather than correct them.
NationPress
2 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Soujanya rape-murder case?
The Soujanya case involves the alleged gang rape and murder of a young woman in Dharmasthala, Karnataka, in 2012. The case has remained controversial after both the state CID and the CBI conducted investigations, with the main accused named by the CBI subsequently acquitted by a court, leading to renewed demands for a fresh probe.
Why did the Supreme Court order a fresh SIT investigation?
The Supreme Court ordered a re-investigation because questions persisted over the adequacy and outcome of earlier probes by the CID and CBI, particularly after the main accused was acquitted. The apex court directed the Karnataka government to constitute an SIT and submit its findings within three months.
Who is on the Karnataka SIT and who leads it?
The five-member SIT 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. However, ASP Venkatesh Prasanna has reportedly sought to be removed from the team following objections from Soujanya's family and activists.
What records has the SIT sought from the CBI and CID?
The SIT has formally written to both the CBI and CID seeking all available information, records, and evidence gathered during their respective earlier investigations into the Soujanya case, as part of its efforts to consolidate all available material before proceeding with the fresh probe.
What is the deadline for the SIT to complete its investigation?
The SIT has been given three months by the Supreme Court to complete its re-investigation and submit a report to the competent court. The team officially launched its probe on 1 October 2026, setting a deadline of approximately early January 2027.
