Mangalore: Powerful people involved in Sowjanya murder case: Thimarodi
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore
Mangalore, Oct 10: Mahesh Shetty Thimarodi, a Hindu leader who was formerly a member of Hindu Jagarana Vedike, on Thursday October 10 made strong claims regarding the gruesome rape and murder of Sowjanya and said that land mafia and powerful people were behind the incident.
Addressing a press meet here on Thursday October 10, he said, "The mysterious death of Sowjanya happened because of land mafia. There are powerful people involved in the murder case. Although it is a year since the gruesome death of Sowjanya, her parents have still not got justice."
Sowjanya was found raped and murdered exactly a year ago at Pangala near Dharmasthala in Beltangady. So far, the mystery of her death remains unsolved, despite CoD enquiry into the case.
Thimarodi further said, “Sowjanya was kidnapped, raped and killed somewhere else, but later her body was placed among the bushes before dawn. Though a school teacher had witnessed the kidnapping, she was deliberately made to remain silent. Due to pressure of powerful personalities, police fixed psychopath Santhosh Kumar in this case. Though Santhosh Kumar was mentally ill, he never harmed anyone in his vicinity. This shows that due to the pressure of some powerful personalities, police framed Santhosh Kumar."
Mahesh Shetty also alleged, “Though Sowjanya was brutally raped and killed, the college administration never allowed Sowjanya’s classmates or other students to join the protests. The college administration has not taken any initiative to provide Rs 1 lac insurance money to Sowjanya’s family. The college administration put pressure on students to stay away from protests. Even though it is one year since Sowjanya's death, to this day there has been no silent prayer for her. In taluk when people protested, auto drivers were not allowed to take part in the protests.
"Though Sowjanya’s parents filed complaint against three accused - Dheeraj Jain, Malik Jain and Udaya Jain - on January 10, 2013, till today police have not taken any action or made any inquiry," he claimed.
He also alleged police involvement in the case and said, "In this case the then ASI Yogish Kumar was completely involved. Hence he is the prime suspect in the case. He has also tried to close this case. Those who fought for justice for Sowjanya were booked in false cases and attempts were made to curb their voice. Yogish Kumar went to Sowjanya’s house to investigate and took her inner wear and planted it at the crime spot. While investigating the crime spot, he found a note in which two phone numbers were written, but Yogish Kumar hid the note and did not produce it in the court. After the government handed over this case to CoD, two officers - CID DySP Rudramuni and Jagadish - took transfers on different occasions."
Expressing concerns over crime rate in Dharamasthala, he said, "Around 450 unnatural deaths have taken place in and around Dharmasthala, and most of the victims have been girls. All these cases should be brought to light. The government should take the mysterious death of Sowjanya seriously and handed over the case to CBI.
"People had organized protests over Delhi gang-rape case in the taluk but Sowjanya's case has not received such response, which indicates that some powerful people have a hand in it," he said, adding that he had even received threat calls from some people.
"If justice is not done soon, this struggle will turn into a mass campaign in future," he warned.
On this occasion Sowjanya’s father Chandappa Gowda, mother Kusumavathi, uncle Vittal Gowda were present.