Mangaluru: It will be three years tomorrow, 9 October 2015, that 17-year-old Sowjanya, a PUC student went missing on October 8, 2012 and the body was found the next day at a secluded place near Dharmasthala. Activists have accused the local police of conducting the investigation haphazardly and leaving some influential people out of its ambit. Although the case has been handled by the Central Bureau of Investigation’s Special Branch, there has been no positive results from their side as of today.
In remembrance of Sowjanya and also to bring awareness about atrocities on women, a group of students of Besant Evening College (MCom and Degree Classes) belonging to Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) held a candle light vigil to mark the third death anniversary of Sowjanya. The students holding lighted candles in their hands marched from their college gate towards the Besant Circle on MG Road, where ABVP leaders addressed the gathering. A two-minute silence was held after a short prayer in memory of the departed soul of Sowjanya. Students carried placards, and raised slogans like-” Student power-Nation’s Power”; “We Want Justice”;” Beke Beku, Nyaya Beku”; Hamara hai, Hamara hai-Sowjanya Hamara hai”; “Justice for Sowjanya” etc etc.
Addressing the gathering, Tejasvi Kalmai- ABVP Organizing Secretary said, ” Although three years have passed the death of Sowjanya, we have still not any justice in this case, which clearly shows that political power, influential people and other sources have involved in this case. There are powerful people involved in the murder case. Since three years of the gruesome death of Sowjanya, even her parents have still not got justice. So far, the mystery of her death remains unsolved, despite CBI enquiry into the case. Seems like even the police are playing tricks in this case. Since it is already three years now, the government should take the mysterious death of Sowjanya seriously and enquire with CBI why is taking so long to find the culprits. If justice is not done soon, this struggle will turn into a mass campaign in future,”.
Speaking to Mangalorean.com, Hithesh Bekal- City ABVP Secretary said, ” It’s really a shame that CBI has done any justice to this case. The failure of the cops to arrest the real culprits, the case was handed over to CBI for investigation and sleuth into the incident-but they too have lacked behind in bringing justice to this mysterious death of a young girl. We will not give up the fight until justice is served in this case. Tomorrow students of KPT and ITI belonging to ABVP will gather near KPT circle at 10.30am and raise our loud voices to wake up our government officials to show some interest in this case and bring justice at the earliest. If not we will intensify our protest in the nearest future”.
Nikitha Suvarna- Cultural Secretary, Besant Evening College speaking to Mangalorean.com said, ” Sowjanya is like our sister, and we can’t forget her brutal death. Through this candle light vigil we want to pay respect to her departed soul and also mark her third death anniversary, and also bring awareness about the atrocities and sexual harassment on women. Three years have passed since Sowjanya’s death, but still no positive results, which clearly shows someone with money and power are delaying this case. I urge that all women should join hands and raise their voices against cruelty and atrocities on women, and also seek that justice is done to Sowjanya’s death case soon, If the concerned authorities and the government did not pay heed to our demands, we will continue our fight till we get justice”.