Bengaluru, August 3, 2025 — The Karnataka government is under intense scrutiny as it awaits the Special Investigation Team (SIT) report on allegations of mass burials and systemic crimes in Dharmasthala, a prominent temple town in Dakshina Kannada district, with renewed focus on the unresolved 2012 rape and murder case of 17-year-old Soujanya. The SIT, constituted on July 20, 2025, following explosive claims by a former sanitation worker, is tasked with investigating both the mass burial allegations and revisiting Soujanya’s case, which has haunted the region for over a decade.
Background of the Soujanya Case
Soujanya, a second-year pre-university student at Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara College in Ujire, was reported missing on October 9, 2012, after failing to return home from college. Her body was discovered the next day near the Nethravathi River, bearing signs of brutal sexual assault and strangulation, with her hands tied to a tree using her shawl. The initial investigation by Belthangady police, followed by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and later the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), culminated in the arrest of Santhosh Rao. However, a special CBI court in Bengaluru acquitted Rao on June 16, 2023, citing a lack of evidence and significant lapses in the initial investigation, including failure to collect crucial CCTV footage and mishandling of forensic evidence.
The acquittal sparked widespread outrage, with Soujanya’s family, activists, and locals alleging that influential figures, including the Heggade family, who administer the Dharmasthala temple, obstructed justice. Kusumavati, Soujanya’s mother, has consistently demanded a reinvestigation, vowing to build a shrine for her daughter if justice is served.
Whistleblower’s Allegations and SIT Formation
The case regained national attention in July 2025 when a former sanitation worker, employed by the Dharmasthala temple trust from 1995 to 2014, filed a complaint alleging he was coerced into burying or burning hundreds of bodies, primarily of women and minors, showing signs of sexual assault and murder. The whistleblower, now under witness protection, claimed these acts occurred under threats from powerful individuals linked to the temple administration. His testimony, recorded in court on July 11, 2025, included descriptions of bodies with visible signs of violence, such as a 13-year-old schoolgirl buried in 2010 and another woman whose face was burned with acid.
The allegations prompted the Karnataka government, led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, to form a four-member SIT on July 20, 2025, headed by DGP Pronab Mohanty, with DIG M.N. Anucheth, DCP Soumya Latha, and SP Jitendra Kumar Dayama as members. The SIT’s mandate includes probing the mass burial claims, disappearances, and unresolved cases like Soujanya’s, with demands for a judge-monitored investigation to ensure impartiality.
SIT Investigation and Challenges
The SIT has been actively investigating since its formation, focusing on verifying the whistleblower’s claims, exhuming skeletal remains, and re-examining evidence in Soujanya’s case. The team has faced challenges, including reported withdrawals by DIG Anucheth and DCP Soumya Latha for personal reasons, raising concerns about the probe’s continuity. The SIT is also tasked with investigating systemic failures in law enforcement, as highlighted by the Karnataka State Commission for Women, which flagged police inaction in multiple cases of missing women and unnatural deaths in the region.
The reinvestigation of Soujanya’s case involves reviewing botched initial efforts, such as the failure to collect CCTV footage from a temple-managed clinic and delays in forensic analysis. The SIT is also probing allegations of a cover-up involving the Heggade family, particularly Rajya Sabha MP Veerendra Heggade, though the temple authorities have denied involvement and supported a “fair and transparent” investigation. Activists and families, including those of other victims like Ananya Bhat (missing since 2003) and Padmalatha (murdered in 1986), have demanded that the SIT expand its scope to cover all related cases.
Public and Political Response
The SIT probe has reignited public outrage, with protests in Dharmasthala and coastal Karnataka demanding justice. The “Justice for Soujanya” campaign, backed by activists like Mahesh Shetty Timarody and organizations such as Naveddu Nilladiddare, has called for action against erring police officers and a state takeover of the temple by the Muzrai Department. A viral YouTube video by Sameer M.D., garnering over 18 million views, further amplified public pressure, though it led to legal action against the creator for allegedly offending religious sentiments.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has supported the SIT probe but dismissed the allegations as a “conspiracy” to tarnish Dharmasthala’s reputation, with leaders like B.S. Yediyurappa and B.Y. Vijayendra urging a swift investigation. The Congress government, facing accusations of inaction, has promised to act on the SIT’s findings, but skepticism persists due to past failures. CPI MP P. Sandosh Kumar has called for a National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe, citing a pattern of systematic violence.
Current Status and Expected Impact
As of August 3, 2025, the SIT report remains pending, with no official timeline for its release. Sources indicate the team is prioritizing exhumations and forensic analysis, with the whistleblower assisting in identifying burial sites under heavy police protection. The investigation’s outcome could have far-reaching implications, potentially exposing systemic issues in Dharmasthala’s law enforcement and temple administration. A credible report could restore public trust and deliver justice for Soujanya and other victims, while failure risks further eroding faith in the state’s ability to confront powerful interests.
The case has also strained Dharmasthala’s reputation as a pilgrimage center, with locals reporting a trust deficit between residents and visitors. Kusumavati, Soujanya’s mother, remains hopeful, stating, “The SIT must uncover the truth. My daughter’s soul deserves peace.” The nation awaits the SIT’s findings, which could either mark a turning point for justice or deepen the region’s lingering wounds.
