Mangaluru: The Karnataka government has appointed Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chetan Singh Rathore as the new head of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged rape and murder of 17-year-old Sowjanya near Dharmasthala in 2012.
According to a revised government order issued on October 30, Rathore replaces IGP N Shashi Kumar, who was earlier appointed to lead the investigation.
Shashi Kumar had reportedly sought to be relieved of the responsibility following allegations questioning his integrity in connection with the re-investigation.
ASP Venkatesh Prasanna replaced
The government has also replaced Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Venkatesh Prasanna, who had requested to be relieved from the SIT.
ASP Srinidhi, who was serving in Hassan, has been appointed in his place.
The changes come as the state government proceeds with the re-investigation ordered by the Supreme Court. The revised order brings in a new leadership team for the probe.
Supreme Court directs fresh investigation
On September 21, the Supreme Court accepted a petition filed by Sowjanya’s mother, Kusumavathi, and directed the Karnataka government to re-investigate the case within three months.
Following the court’s direction, the state government constituted the SIT on September 24 and appointed Shashi Kumar as its chief.
The original team included Mangaluru Police Commissioner and DIG Sudheer Kumar Reddy, along with officers Nisha James, Lokesh Jagalsar and Venkatesh Prasanna.
With the latest government order, Rathore and Srinidhi have been brought in to replace Shashi Kumar and Venkatesh Prasanna, respectively.
The SIT is tasked with carrying out the fresh investigation within the timeline set by the Supreme Court.