The SIT has intensified its fresh probe into the controversial Soujanya rape and murder case by questioning five witnesses as part of efforts to re-examine key aspects of the case.
The SIT summoned people who allegedly saw Soujanya for last time before her death under fresh directions from authorities after a long drawn out investigation into her death which is one of the biggest public issues in Karnataka over the years.
Under process, SIT questioned Vittal Gowda (Soujanya’s uncle), Krishnappa, Purandara Gowda, Yashodha and her son Prateek. Their statements are being recorded at SIT office as investigators seek more information about sequence of events leading up to incident.
The latest questioning is seen as an important step in renewed probe as people who might have known Soujanya’s last movements can be examined as evidence was not looked at earlier.
The questioning is being done at SIT office where investigating officer Lokesh and associate investigating officer Manoj Nayak are recording statements of five persons. The investigators will have to compare the information given by these witnesses with material collected during earlier investigations, their statements may be important in reconstructing what happened leading up to Soujanya’s disappearance and death.
Questioning does not establish wrongdoing by anyone but the findings of investigation would depend on evidence collected and verified by SIT. The renewed questioning shows that investigating team wants to look into important aspects of case again rather than relying only on conclusions reached during previous investigations.
The fresh investigation got underway after the order for a new probe. Since getting the direction to re-investigate it SIT has reportedly taken several steps to collect information from different sources; obtained documents and records from investigative agencies which handled the case earlier access to these records is expected to help investigators understand how far back in the inquiry process they had progressed; areas where more work may be needed; whether important information needs to be verified again etc.
Reviewing earlier investigation documents is part of reopening a case as investigators compare evidence with fresh statements and any additional material that emerges during the renewed inquiry.
Another new feature in the fresh probe is inspection at locations related to the crime. SIT officials reportedly inspected (mahazar official inspection and documentation process) the place where Soujanya was allegedly killed and the spot where her body was found.
Inspections can document physical surroundings, recall circumstances related to incident and compare location details with information available in case records of earlier cases (this is important when investigators are trying to retrace sequence of events after a long time). Inspection of relevant locations along with recording witness statements show that SIT is looking at documentary as well as location-based evidence in renewed probe.
The Soujanya case has never really gone away in Karnataka. Questions about how she died and the investigation remain sensitive subjects. The clamour for more clarity and accountability has kept the case in the public domain over the years so the decision to reopen some aspects of the investigation now has people watching developments with expectations.
Questioning five people who supposedly saw Soujanya last is significant because their accounts may give investigators details about her last known movements but any conclusions about the circumstances of crime or involvement of individuals have to be based on verified evidence and findings of the investigating authorities.
Now SIT’s renewed probe is said to have reached an important stage as witness statements are being recorded and documents from previous investigative agencies examined. Team will now have to decide whether what has been elicited during this round of questioning matches earlier evidence or not and if so, whether further investigation is required.
More questioning, verification of records and examination of other material may be part of the investigative process as it proceeds. Till then Vittal Gowda, Krishnappa, Purandara Gowda, Yashodha and Prateek have been questioned in renewed probe. What steps SIT plans to take in coming days and whether fresh investigation produces new findings in long-running Soujanya rape and murder case could be known only in coming days.
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