After Yash visits Veerendra Heggade, Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat meets Sowjanya’s mother
Mangaluru
RSS ideologue Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat visited the residence of deceased Sowjanya and met her mother Kusumavati, assuring the family of his support in its continued fight for justice.
Bhat’s visit assumes significance as it came shortly after Kannada actor Yash visited Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari Veerendra Heggade on Tuesday. The contrasting visits have drawn attention among activists supporting Sowjanya’s family, particularly at a time when the case has once again come under the spotlight following the Supreme Court’s intervention.
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Sowjanya, a girl from Dakshina Kannada, was allegedly raped and murdered in October 2012. The case has remained a deeply emotive issue in coastal Karnataka, with questions continuing to be raised over the investigation and the circumstances surrounding her death.
Santosh Rao, who was named as the lone accused in the case, was acquitted by the Special Court on June 26, 2023. The case had been investigated at different stages by the local police, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Unhappy with the outcome of the proceedings and seeking a fresh investigation, Sowjanya’s mother Kusumavati approached the Supreme Court. The apex court agreed to a further probe into the case and has reserved its order.
Against this backdrop, Bhat’s visit to Sowjanya’s mother has been described by activists as a significant gesture of solidarity with the family.
Speaking to blrpost.com, Bhat said his visit was aimed at giving the family, particularly Kusumavati, the confidence to continue its legal and public battle for justice at a crucial juncture.
He said he would stand with the family and support its efforts to seek justice for Sowjanya.
Bhat spent nearly two hours at Sowjanya’s house, listening to Kusumavati and discussing the family’s concerns. During the interaction, he also spoke about the developments surrounding the Dharmasthala mass burial case, another issue that has generated considerable public attention in the region.
Sowjanya activist, Tanush M Shetty said the timing of Bhat’s visit was significant, particularly because it followed Yash’s meeting with Veerendra Heggade.
According to Shetty, the actor’s visit had disappointed several activists who have been campaigning for justice for Sowjanya and had affected their morale.
“Activists were upset and disappointed after Yash’s visit to Veerendra Heggade. At a time when the morale of the activists was low, Bhat’s visit brought a sense of confidence and encouragement,” Shetty said.
He said Bhat did not merely make a brief appearance but spent considerable time with Sowjanya’s mother, patiently listening to her concerns and discussing the issues surrounding the case.
“Bhat sat at the house for nearly two hours and listened to the mother. His visit gave the family and activists a sense that they were not alone in their fight,” Shetty said.
The contrasting optics of Yash’s meeting with Heggade and Bhat’s interaction with Sowjanya’s mother have also triggered discussions among activists over the positions taken by public figures on an issue that has remained unresolved in the public consciousness for more than a decade.