Walk for ‘Justice for Soujanya’ in Ujire on October 10

A walk for ‘Justice for Soujanya’ will be held on October 10 from Ujire to Belthangady, said activist Mahesh Shetty Thimarody in Ujire on Tuesday (September 29).

Speaking to reporters, Mr. Thimarody said following a long fight, activists and Soujanya’s family members have succeeded in getting the Supreme Court to pass an order, which led the State government to set up a Special Investigation Team to re-investigate the rape and murder of 17-year-old Soujanya on October 10, 2012.

Mr. Thimarody said that after a long march on October 10, there will be a public function where advocates, who represented Soujanya’s family before the High Court and Supreme Court, will be felicitated.

They want a dispassionate inquiry by the SIT headed by Inspector General of Police N. Shashikumar. A batch of advocates closely monitor the investigation, he said.

Soujanya’s mother Kusumavathi, who filed a plea before the Supreme Court demanding a de-novo investigation, and activist Girish Mattennavar were present.

The body of 17-year-old Soujanya was found in the bushes at Mannasanka, near Dharmasthala, on October 10, 2012. The CBI Special Court acquitted the lone accused, Santosh Rao, on June 16, 2023. On September 21, the Supreme Court ordered a re-investigation of the case by the SIT and said Rao shall not be subjected to further investigation or prosecution.