CBI Court Acquits Accused in Karnataka College Student Rape, Murder Case After 11 Years
A special CBI court in Karnataka has acquitted, for want of evidence, the accused in the sensational 2012 rape and murder case of college student Soujanya that took place in Ujire town in Dakshina Kannada district. Special judge C.B. Santhosh has pronounced the judgment acquitting accused Santhosh Rao.
Bengaluru, June 16: A special CBI court in Karnataka has acquitted, for want of evidence, the accused in the sensational 2012 rape and murder case of college student Soujanya that took place in Ujire town in Dakshina Kannada district. Special judge C.B. Santhosh has pronounced the judgment acquitting accused Santhosh Rao.
Daughter of Chandrappa Gowda and Kusumavathy, who resided at Pangala near Dharmasthala, Soujanya was a student of the SDM College in Ujire town. She went missing on October 9, 2012 while returning from the college to the house. Delhi Court Acquits Noor Mohammad Accused of Rioting and Unlawful Assembly in 2020 Riots Case; Pulls Up Police for False Claims.
The next day, her body was found near Mannasanka. The preliminary investigations suggested that she was kidnapped and gang raped. The Belthangady police had arrested 38-year-old Santhosh Rao on October 11, 2012. Uttar Pradesh: Varanasi Court Acquits BSP MP Atul Rai in Rape Case.
Huge protests were staged against the investigation of the case by the state police, who were alleged to be protecting the sons of powerful persons of the region. The case was handed over to the CID and on November 6, 2013, to the CBI.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 16, 2023 09:39 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).