The special investigation team (SIT) re-probing the 2012 rape and murder case in Dharmasthala has summoned more than 15 police officers and personnel who handled the investigation at different stages, from the initial probe by Belthangady police to subsequent investigations by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
The SIT is headed by inspector general of police (IGP) N Shashikumar. Its members include Mangaluru City police commissioner C H Sudheer Kumar Reddy, intelligence superintendent of police Nisha James and CID superintendent of police (SP) Lokesh Jagalasar.
Officers involved in the earlier investigations have been excluded from the new team to ensure an independent inquiry.
The order followed a petition by the victim’s mother, Kusumavathi, seeking a fresh investigation into her daughter’s death.
The court also expressed serious concerns about the earlier CBI probe.
The Supreme Court ordered a fresh investigation on September 21 directing the Karnataka government to complete the probe and submit a report within three months. Santhosh Rao, the sole accused prosecuted in connection with the crime, was acquitted by a trial court on June 16, 2023, after the prosecution failed to establish the charges beyond reasonable doubt. The team started its probe in October by examining existing case records and seeking documents, evidence and investigation files from the CID and the CBI. Jagalasar has been appointed investigating officer, while Mangaluru Central Crime Branch Assistant Commissioner of Police Manoj Kumar Naik is assisting him. The case remained unresolved despite investigations by multiple agencies.
“The officers have been issued notices under Section 160 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), directing them to appear for questioning on Friday,” an officer familiar with the investigation said.
