Rape murder of minor: CBI filed appeal against acquittal of accused, know the case

Bengaluru: On Wednesday, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filed an appeal before the Karnataka High Court challenging its decision to acquit the accused in the high-profile rape and murder case of a 17-year-old girl in Pangala near Dharmasthala in 2012.

Earlier, on July 16, the special CBI court had acquitted the accused, Santosh Rao, and reprimanded the investigating officer and the prosecution for wrongfully implicating him in the case. The court had even suggested taking action against police officials and others responsible for hindering the investigation. Now, four months after the verdict, the CBI has lodged an appeal within the 60-day window provided by the trial court.

The outcome of this appeal remains uncertain, with experts speculating on whether the High Court will accept it. Sources indicate that the CBI contends Santosh Rao, the acquitted accused, is the actual culprit and asserts that it will present substantial evidence to substantiate these charges.

The case has assumed a political dimension due to activists alleging the involvement of a powerful religious family in the area and a prominent BJP politician in shielding the real perpetrators. Activists have been organizing large rallies in coastal Karnataka, demanding a re-investigation into the case and the arrest of the genuine culprits.

In response, supporters of the accused religious family and the BJP leader have also been organizing significant rallies, framing the situation as an assault on a Hindu pilgrimage site. It’s noteworthy that an earlier plea seeking re-investigation of the case was rejected by the high court, emphasizing that such a request must be made by the victim’s family. However, as of now, the victim’s family members have not approached the court.

The tragic incident occurred on October 10, 2012, in Pangala, near the renowned Hindu pilgrimage site in Dakshina Kannada district. The victim, a 17-year-old girl studying in class 12 at Sri Dharmasthala Manjunath College, was allegedly abducted while walking home after class. Her lifeless body was later discovered unclothed, leading to a nationwide outcry for justice.