The ‘Kondavaru Yaaru?’ organisation held a protest at Freedom Park in Bengaluru on Friday, demanding that the Special Investigation Team formed to reinvestigate alleged offences around Dharmasthala be reconstituted with competent officers and technical and forensic experts.
The protesters called for the SIT to be headed by an officer of the rank of Director General of Police or Additional Director General of Police, referring to the Supreme Court’s directions on the investigation. They also demanded that officers facing allegations of corruption, dereliction of duty, insensitive conduct towards women or links with communal forces be kept out of the team.
The demands concern the institutional credibility of the investigation as much as its findings. The organisation said that police officers, personnel, doctors and other people connected with the case should be questioned over alleged false or incorrect information provided from the beginning of the investigation. It also sought action against anyone who directly or indirectly destroyed evidence or protected those accused of offences.
The protesters demanded that the reinvestigation be completed within a fixed timeframe and without pressure from political or influential forces. They also sought security from the government for the family of Soujanya and for witnesses connected with the case.
According to the organisation, the investigation is being conducted under the supervision of the Supreme Court and new witnesses may come forward. It therefore asked that such witnesses be given an opportunity to contact the SIT through a helpline. The group also called for impartial investigations into other rape, murder and missing-person cases involving women and young women in the region, beyond the Soujanya case.
The organisation further demanded that the comprehensive investigation report submitted by the earlier SIT be made available to the public immediately. Madhubushan, K.S. Vimala, Gouramma, Mamatha Yajaman, Jyothi Ananthasubba Rao, Meenakshi, Shashikala, Ammulu and Mallige Sirimane were among those who participated in the protest.
