Sowjanya case: Karnataka HC unhappy with CBI probe

BENGALURU: The Karnataka High Court on Monday expressed its displeasure against the CBI over its progress in the Sowjanya rape and murder case. The court warned the premier investigating agency that it will set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) if the CBI’s investigation is found lacking.

The court was hearing a petition for a re-investigation of the case. An advocate representing Sowjanya's father argued that two people, Harish and Gopal, had testified before the Belthangady police, which investigated the case at the initial stages. But the CBI, which has completed the probe, has not mentioned the statements of Harish and details of the preliminary investigation carried out by the police.

“The court does not expect this type of investigation from such a firm (CBI). The court would create a Special Investigation Team if it finds that there was no proper investigation,” the court observed, while asking the CBI to report on the matter.

Sowjanya, a secondary PU student at Manjunatheshwara College, Dharmasthala, went missing on April 9, 2012. Her body was found on April 10.