The brutal rape and murder of 17-year-old college student Sowjanya in October 2012 remains one of Karnataka’s most controversial cases. More than a decade later, her killer remains unidentified, investigations have been riddled with inconsistencies, and the justice system has failed to hold police officers accountable for their lapses.

The case has resurfaced in public discussions following a viral 39-minute video by Kannada YouTuber Sameer MD, who detailed the flawed investigation and the continued lack of justice for Sowjanya’s family. While the video has renewed public interest, it has also raised critical questions: Why have the police officers responsible for the botched investigation not faced action? And why was the case not reviewed by an acquittal committee as recommended by the CBI court?

Background: The Crime and a Botched Investigation

Sowjanya, a second-year Pre-University student of Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara College, went missing on October 9, 2012, and was found dead the next day near the Nethravathi river, her hands bound to a tree with her shawl.

The police arrested Santhosh Rao for the crime, but his acquittal by the CBI court on June 16, 2023, revealed serious investigative lapses:

• Tampered evidence and medical reports.

• Planted or ignored key evidence that could have pointed to the real culprits.

• No concrete proof against Santhosh Rao—his confession, recovered clothes, and injury marks were deemed insufficient to prove guilt.

Sowjanya’s family always maintained that Santhosh was a scapegoat, alleging that the real perpetrators were shielded by influential figures. After the acquittal, her father Chandappa Gowda filed a writ petition seeking a fresh investigation and action against officials responsible for the flawed probe. However, the Karnataka High Court rejected his plea in April 2024, stating a new investigation would serve no purpose. Tragically, Chandappa passed away in January 2025 after battling cancer, without seeing justice for his daughter.

Police Inaction: Was the Case Put Before the Acquittal Committee?

The CBI court in 2023 did not just acquit Santhosh Rao—it recommended that the case be placed before an "acquittal committee" to investigate errant officials involved in the botched probe.

In 2014, the Karnataka government established a three-stage acquittal review system at the District, Range, and State levels to analyze flaws in investigations that led to high acquittal rates. These committees are responsible for identifying and correcting investigative failures. However, there is no confirmation that Sowjanya’s case was ever reviewed by such a committee.

Meanwhile, officials involved in the flawed probe have faced little to no consequences:

• Circle Inspector Bhaskar Rai, who failed to collect crucial CCTV footage and expert reports on Santhosh’s injuries, was promoted to DySP rank instead of being penalized.

• Sub-Inspector Yogesh Kumar Naik, who ignored critical CCTV footage near a clinic run by the Dharmasthala temple management, was transferred out of Belthangady and later suspended in Bengaluru for alleged involvement in a kidnapping case.

Despite laws mandating strict disciplinary action against police officers who neglect duty, no legal or administrative action has been taken against them.

Legal Provisions on Police Negligence

Under Indian law, officers responsible for botched investigations can face severe consequences:

1. The Police Act mandates disciplinary action against officers for dereliction of duty.

2. The Indian Penal Code (IPC) & Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) prescribe up to seven years in prison for tampering with evidence or concealing facts.

Despite these clear legal provisions, Karnataka Police has not initiated any known action against officials involved in Sowjanya’s case.

YouTuber Sameer MD’s Video and Police Retaliation

The case gained renewed attention when YouTuber Sameer MD released an explosive video detailing the investigation’s flaws. Following the video’s widespread circulation:

• The Karnataka High Court issued a stay against a Ballari police notice summoning him for questioning under Section 35(3) of the BNS.

• Sameer’s lawyer argued that the FIR was filed without a complaint, under Section 299 of BNS, alleging offense to religious sentiments—despite no religious content in the video.

• Police attempted to arrest Sameer by serving a late-night notice (10:45 PM) at his lawyer’s office, demanding he appear at 10:30 AM the next day, without providing an FIR copy.

• The High Court slammed the police for their urgency, stating: 

  • “Where is the mortal hurry?”

    • “Because the YouTuber has projected somebody influential?”

    • “Your intention is to arrest. You are creating a ground for arrest that he has not appeared.”

The court ruled that the notice violated legal norms and protected Sameer from immediate arrest.

Power Struggles in Dharmasthala: A Deeper Political Undertone?

Beyond Sowjanya’s quest for justice, the case is deeply intertwined with power struggles surrounding the Dharmasthala temple—one of Karnataka’s most influential religious institutions.

Legal battles, police inaction, and the targeting of whistleblowers suggest a deliberate effort to silence those questioning powerful entities.

Justice Delayed, Justice Denied

Sowjanya’s murder remains unsolved, her family denied justice, and police officers who botched the case remain unpunished.

With investigations ignored, legal recommendations unimplemented, and whistleblowers targeted, the case exposes serious cracks in Karnataka’s justice system.

The Karnataka government must answer:

• Why was the case never put before the acquittal committee?

• Why have errant police officials faced no action?

• Why is a YouTuber being targeted for exposing a flawed investigation?

Without accountability, the fight for justice in Sowjanya’s case continues, serving as a harsh reminder of systemic failures in law enforcement and the judiciary.

 

 

For any enquiries or information, contact info@thelawreporters.com or call us on +971 52 644 3004. Follow The Law Reporters on WhatsApp Channels