23 August 2025
The arrest of Bheema, a former sanitation worker, by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Dharmasthala mass burial case has taken a dramatic turn. According to highly placed sources, investigators now suspect his involvement in the disposal of Soujanya’s body, a case that has remained unresolved for over a decade.
Allegations of Involvement in Soujanya’s Case
Soujanya, a 17-year-old pre-university student, was brutally raped and murdered in October 2012. While the local police, followed by the CID and later the CBI, investigated the case, the trial ended in the acquittal of the lone accused, Santosh Rao, in 2023. The court, while delivering its verdict, cited glaring lapses in evidence collection and preservation, leaving behind unanswered questions about the role of officials in suppressing critical information.
Now, SIT sources allege that Bheema may have played a direct role in the cover-up. During interrogation, he initially claimed to be on leave on the day of Soujanya’s murder. However, he later admitted to receiving a call from Dharmasthala questioning his absence. “I was on leave, they called me. They asked, ‘Why are you on leave?’” he reportedly told investigators. Officials suspect that he may have transported Soujanya’s body and disposed of it on instructions from higher authorities, potentially destroying crucial evidence in the process.
Confession Video and Perjury Charges
Adding to the intrigue, investigators have learned of a video in which Bheema allegedly confesses to the illegal disposal of the body. If authenticated, this evidence could change the trajectory of the SIT’s probe, forcing it to revisit not only the Soujanya case but also the larger web of alleged cover-ups in Dharmasthala.
Bheema’s arrest, however, was formally made on the grounds of perjury — lying under oath. Officials revealed multiple inconsistencies in his testimony, including false claims that he had buried autopsy bodies. These contradictions, coupled with his alleged confessions, have raised doubts about the extent of his involvement and the pressure he may have been under.
Investigation Gains Momentum
According to Home Ministry sources, Bheema was subjected to marathon questioning on Friday (22 August 2025), which extended into the early hours of Saturday (23 August 2025). SIT officers posed exhaustive questions regarding both the mass burial allegations and the Soujanya case before formally arresting him. Officials have withheld further details citing the sensitivity of the ongoing probe.
A Decade of Unanswered Questions
The latest developments have reignited public debate over the Soujanya case, long criticized for mishandling and lack of transparency. With Bheema now under arrest and suspected of playing a role in disposing of evidence, pressure is mounting on the SIT to determine whether he acted alone or under orders from powerful individuals.
For the families and activists who have long sought justice, the hope is that this arrest marks the beginning of long-overdue accountability in both the Soujanya case and the Dharmasthala mass burial scandal.
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