Bengaluru: In a major development, the CBI on Wednesday filed an appeal before the Karnataka High Court challenging the acquittal of the accused in the sensational rape and murder case of Soujanya, a 17-year-old girl in Pangala near Dharmasthala in 2012.

The CBI Special Court had on July 16 acquitted the accused Santhosh Rao and rapped the investigation officer and prosecution for framing him in the case. The court had also suggested initiation of action against police officers and others for botching up the probe.

The CBI’s appeal was filed four months after the verdict. The lower court had given 60 days to the CBI to file an appeal on the judgment.

Experts said that it remains to be seen whether the appeal would be accepted by the High Court.

Sources stated that the CBI had claimed that Santhosh Rao, who was acquitted in the case, is the real culprit and it would submit required evidence in this regard to prove the charges against him.

Massive rallies are being held in costal Karnataka by activists demanding reinvestigation into the case and arrest of the real culprits. The supporters of the accused are also holding massive rallies in the support of the accused and saying that it is an attack on a pilgrimage centre.

The High Court had earlier rejected the petition seeking reinvestigation into the case and stressed that the demand had to be made by the family members. However, the family members of the victim had not approached the court.

A minor girl’s rape and murder was reported on October 10, 2012 at Pangala near Dharmasthala.

Soujanya was a 17-year-old student of second PU in a private college. While she was going towards her house after class, she was allegedly kidnapped and later her dead body was recovered in a state of undress.