Archive · 1 Oct 2026
Karnataka SIT Begins Fresh Probe Into Soujanya Case
A team of Karnataka police officers is starting a new investigation into Soujanya’s death.
Soujanya was allegedly raped and murdered in 2012.
The Supreme Court told the Karnataka government to create a special team for the new investigation.
The team will work in Mangaluru.
It must finish its work and send a report to a court within three months.
Five officers were originally included in the team.
Some activists and members of Soujanya’s family objected to one officer’s appointment.
That officer has asked the government to remove him from the team.
The government says it wants to find the truth and provide justice.
The Karnataka government’s five-member SIT will begin reinvestigating Soujanya’s 2012 rape and murder case in Mangaluru.
The probe follows directions from the Supreme Court, which gave the team three months to submit its report.
SIT members Nisha James and Lokesh Jagalsar are scheduled to meet Police Commissioner C.H. Sudheer Kumar Reddy.
ASP Venkatesh Prasanna has asked to be relieved after objections from activists and members of Soujanya’s family.
The case was reopened amid controversy after the CBI-named main accused was acquitted in court.
- Who
- A five-member Karnataka Special Investigation Team, headed by IGP N. Shashikumar, is investigating the case; the team includes C.H. Sudheer Kumar Reddy, Nisha James, Lokesh Jagalsar and Venkatesh Prasanna.
- What
- The SIT is beginning a fresh investigation into the alleged 2012 gang rape and murder of Soujanya.
- When
- The probe is scheduled to begin on Thursday, with a three-month deadline for submitting a report.
- Where
- Mangaluru, Karnataka.
- Why
- The reinvestigation was ordered by the Supreme Court after controversy surrounding earlier CID and CBI investigations and the acquittal of the main accused named by the CBI.
Government and Court Direction
Family and Activist Concerns
Need for a fresh investigation
Government and Court Direction
The Supreme Court directed Karnataka to conduct a reinvestigation, and the government says the SIT is intended to establish the truth and ensure justice.
Family and Activist Concerns
The case remains controversial because earlier CID and CBI investigations did not resolve public concerns, particularly after the CBI-named main accused was acquitted.
Appointment of Venkatesh Prasanna
Government and Court Direction
The government originally included ASP Venkatesh Prasanna in the five-member SIT and said it would consider concerns without taking a rigid position.
Family and Activist Concerns
Some social activists and members of Soujanya’s family objected to his inclusion, prompting Prasanna to request that the government relieve him from the team.
- Case
- Alleged 2012 gang rape and murder of Soujanya
- Investigating body
- Five-member Karnataka Special Investigation Team
- Team head
- IGP N. Shashikumar
- Location
- Mangaluru
- Deadline
- Three months to submit a report to the competent court
- Court direction
- The Supreme Court directed Karnataka to constitute the SIT and reinvestigate the case
- Team concern
- ASP Venkatesh Prasanna asked to be relieved after objections from activists and Soujanya’s family members