Archive · 25 Sep 2026
Mother, activists challenge SIT composition in 2012 rape-murder probe
The case concerns a 17-year-old girl who was raped and murdered near Dharmasthala in 2012.
The State government has created a new team to investigate the case again.
The team has five police officers and three months to finish its work.
The girl’s mother says the team is not formed in the way the Supreme Court directed.
She wants senior leadership and a DNA expert involved.
Activists also object to two officers because they say allegations have been made against them.
They are asking the government to replace those officers.
The campaign wants a more senior police officer and forensic experts on the team.
The Karnataka government formed a five-member SIT to reinvestigate the 2012 rape and murder of a 17-year-old girl near Dharmasthala.
IGP N Shashikumar was appointed to lead the team, which has three months to submit its report.
The victim’s mother said the team does not comply with the Supreme Court’s directions for senior leadership and DNA expertise.
Activist Shekhar Laila demanded the removal of N Shashikumar and Venkatesh Prasanna, citing allegations against both officers.
The ‘Kondavaru Yaaru?’ campaign sought a new team led by a DG- or ADGP-rank officer with forensic expertise.
- Who
- The victim’s mother, activists, the five-member Special Investigation Team, and the Supreme Court are central to the matter.
- What
- The State government formed an SIT to conduct a fresh investigation into the 2012 rape and murder, but the victim’s mother and activists oppose its composition.
- When
- The SIT was appointed on Thursday, with criticism issued on Friday; the crime occurred in 2012 and the team has three months to report.
- Where
- The crime occurred near Dharmasthala; the SIT includes officers from Mangaluru, the Intelligence wing, the CID, and Bengaluru Rural.
- Why
- The Supreme Court ordered a fresh investigation after dissatisfaction with earlier probes, while the family and activists say the new team lacks the required senior leadership and forensic expertise.
Family and activists
State government
SIT leadership
Family and activists
The victim’s mother and campaign activists say the team should be led by a DG- or ADGP-rank officer, arguing that an IGP is not sufficiently senior for the Supreme Court’s direction.
State government
The State government appointed IGP N Shashikumar to lead the five-member team; the article does not report a government response to the criticism.
Officer selection
Family and activists
Activists seek the removal of N Shashikumar and Venkatesh Prasanna, citing allegations including corruption, dereliction of duty, and other misconduct claims.
State government
The government included both officers in the SIT; the article provides no reported response from the government to the allegations.
Forensic expertise
Family and activists
The victim’s mother and campaign activists say a DNA expert or other forensic expertise must be included in the investigation.
State government
The announced five-member team does not identify a DNA expert, according to the article.
- Case
- 2012 rape and murder of a 17-year-old girl
- Location
- Near Dharmasthala
- SIT size
- Five members
- SIT head
- IGP N Shashikumar
- Investigation deadline
- Three months
- Main criticism
- The family and activists say the team needs a more senior officer and DNA or forensic expertise
- Earlier investigations
- The statement says the Supreme Court was dissatisfied with earlier CID, CBI, and SIT investigations