The investigation into the 2012 Soujanya case has taken a major turn after Inspector General of Police (IGP) N Shashikumar was reportedly relieved of his responsibility as head of the Special Investigation Team (SIT). In a letter to government, Shashikumar reportedly said personal reasons and that he would not be able to continue leading SIT.
The development has brought the old case back into focus after it was made fresh by the Supreme Court earlier this year. Karnataka government will soon appoint a new SIT chief, and an official announcement is expected soon.
Shashikumar Cites Personal Reasons
Shashikumar, who was appointed to head the five-member SIT constituted by the Karnataka government in September 2026, had reportedly written to the government asking for relief from the responsibility.
He wrote to the government that he had personal reasons and would not be able to continue with the investigation. The government accepted his request and relieved him of his post as SIT chief.
“Nothing official has said that there was any other reason for his leaving,” he said. “So don’t speculate about what happened when you heard he left until it is officially confirmed.”
New SIT Chief Appointment Expected
Shashikumar has been released from his duty; now the appointment of a new officer to conduct the investigation is in focus.
Reports say the government may issue an order appointing a new SIT chief. Who will replace him and how formal the appointment is are things to watch.
Once the new officer is in charge, first thing he/she has to do is review what was done so far; look into documents and evidence available; decide next steps (as per Supreme Court directions) from here on.
Supreme Court Ordered Fresh Investigation
The latest development comes after the Supreme Court, on September 21, 2026, ordered a fresh probe into the rape and murder case of Soujanya, aged 17, in Dharmasthala (Dakshina Kannada) in 2012.
On September 24, the court’s direction led the Karnataka government to constitute a five-member SIT with IGP N Shashikumar as its chief. Other members were senior police officers C H Sudheer Kumar Reddy, Nisha James, Lokesh Jagalasar and Venkatesh Prasanna.
The Supreme Court directed that the fresh investigation should be completed within three months and a police report be submitted before the competent court; officers involved in earlier investigations should not be part of the new SIT.
The court’s directions were intended to ensure that the case and its evidence should be re-examined.
What Is the Soujanya Case?
The case dates back to October 9, 2012, when Soujanya, aged 17, went missing while returning home from Ujire in Belthangady taluk. Her body was found the next day at Dharmasthala.
The case was investigated by various agencies (Karnataka CID, CBI), and Santosh Rao, who was tried as the sole accused, was acquitted by the trial court in June 2023.
Soujanya’s family continued to demand a fresh probe and finally approached the Supreme Court. The apex court’s September 2026 direction led to formation of a new SIT
Focus Shifts to the New Investigation Team
Shashikumar’s reported exit from the SIT leadership comes at an important juncture of the renewed investigation — the incoming chief has to take up work already done and ensure that the probe proceeds within the time frame set by the Supreme Court.
The appointment is also being watched by Soujanya’s family and those who have been demanding justice in the case for several years now.
The next government order and the way in which the new chief approaches the investigation will tell us how SIT will move forward. An evidence-based investigation and bringing its findings before a competent court are still on.
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