SC notice to CBI, State govt. in Soujanya case welcomed

Members of the National Federation of Indian Women (NFIW) and Akhila Bharata Janawadi Mahila Sanghatane have reiterated their demand for a fair and impartial reinvestigation in the 2012 Soujanya rape and murder case, following recent directions from the Supreme Court and the High Court of Karnataka.

Sanghatane district president Padmini Kiranagi and NFIW district president Padmavati Malipatil, addressing presspersons in Kalaburagi on Thursday, said that the Supreme Court, on March 23, 2026, issued notice to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the State government on a petition filed by Soujanya’s mother Kusumavathi seeking reinvestigation.

The development has been welcomed by members of the Kondavaru Yaaru campaign who described it as a significant step in the prolonged pursuit of justice.

Ms. Kiranagi and Mr. Malipatil urged the State government to support the plea before court and ensure that the reinvestigation is conducted fairly and transparently.

They also expressed concern over the exclusion of the case from the Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted to investigate crimes in the Dharmasthala region.

In a related development, the High Court of Karnataka, on March 18, 2026, directed the State to place on record details of 74 cases of unnatural deaths reported in and around Dharmasthala.

Activists said that the order has bolstered public confidence in the judicial process.

Referring to observations made in the 2023 Special CBI Court judgment, the activists called for the identification of officials responsible for lapses in investigation.

They sought action against those involved in tampering with evidence.

They also demanded that all relevant reports, including those about crimes against women in Dharmasthala, be made public without delay.

The groups said that their agitation will continue until justice is done.