Special Judge CB Santhosh acquitted accused Santhosh Rao
Post Date – 08:00 AM, Saturday – 17 June 23
Special Judge CB Santhosh acquitted accused Santhosh Rao
Bangalore: A special CBI court in Karnataka state has acquitted the accused in the sensational 2012 rape and murder of college student Soujanya in Ujire township, Dakshina Kannada district, due to lack of evidence.
Special Judge CB Santhosh acquitted the accused Santhosh Rao.
Soujanya, the daughter of Chandrappa Gowda and Kusumavathy of Pangala, near Dharmasthala, is a student at SDM College in Ujire town. On October 9, 2012, she disappeared on her way home from university.
Her body was found the next day near Manasangkar. According to preliminary investigation, she was kidnapped and gang-raped. Belthangady Police arrested Santhosh Rao, 38, on October 11, 2012.
Mass protests were sparked by state police investigations into the case, which allegedly protected the son of a powerful man in the area. The case was referred to CID and on 6 November 2013 to CBI.
