Sowjanya case: SC seeks Karnataka’s stand, orders protection for key witnesses

Bengaluru

In a significant development in the long-pending Sowjanya rape and murder case, the Supreme Court of India on Wednesday (April 29, 2026) directed the Karnataka government to place on record a comprehensive report outlining the steps it proposes to take on a plea seeking reinvestigation into the 2012 crime.

The case pertains to the brutal rape and murder of a 17-year-old girl, Sowjanya, in Dharmasthala village in October 2012. Despite investigations by multiple agencies, including the local police, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), and the Central Bureau of Investigation, the trial ultimately ended in acquittal due to lack of conclusive evidence.

A bench comprising Justices Sanjay Kumar and K Vinod Chandran expressed concern over the delay and directed the State to clarify its position on reinvestigation within two weeks. The court also pulled up the State government for failing to submit its response earlier despite being granted time.

Importantly, the apex court ordered the Karnataka government to ensure adequate protection for witnesses associated with the case. The direction came after submissions by senior advocates representing the victim’s family, who highlighted that several witnesses had died under mysterious circumstances over the years, raising serious concerns about their safety.

Appearing for the victim’s family, advocates Shobha Gupta, Anand Sanjay M. Nuli, and Shekhar G. Devasa argued that crucial forensic evidence, including preserved DNA samples, still exists and could be re-examined as part of a fresh probe. They also submitted a list of witnesses requiring immediate protection.

The case was initially charge-sheeted against a lone accused Santosh Rao. However, the trial court acquitted him, citing insufficient evidence and pointing to significant lapses in the investigation. The court had also recommended action against erring officials responsible for the flawed probe.

The Supreme Court was hearing special leave petitions filed by Sowjanya’s mother Kusumavati, as well as by Rao, bringing renewed focus on a case that has continued to raise questions about investigative failures and justice delivery for over a decade.