Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (GA)

Udupi, Feb 16: Finally it's curtains down on sensational Sucheta Shetty murder case of Hebri as the CoD police have closed the case after submitting 'C' Report recently.

Sucheta Shetty (17), daughter of Sadashiv Shetty of Handikallu-Katteri near Hebri was found murdered near the famous Jomlu falls on July 15, 2003.  She had gone in search of cattle on July 13 but had not returned. After extensive search she was found murdered at Jomlu.

The autopsy reports had confirmed that she had been murdered after raping.  The case had hit headlines in the following days. Owing to pressure and protests from various organizations, students of Hebri college where Sucheta was studying, police had taken-up investigation in the case.

The case had found its way even in the corridors of Vidhana Soudha as the then Congress president Janardhan Poojary, Brahmavar MLA K Jayaprakash Hegde, the former Karkala MLA Gopal Bhandary had visited the family numerous times and helped them in various ways.

Finally the then home minister had ordered for CoD enquiry into the case. Accordingly the CoD police had visited the Hebri, Jomlu, Kokkarne and other areas a number of times.  But they had failed in getting any clue about the culprits.  Though a few were arrested on suspicion no breakthrough had been achieved through them too.  They had even undergone narco analysis test, polygraph test etc. But the result was nil.

The present Karkala MLA Sunil Kumar had used the issue as his major political move during the elections and promised to solve the case shortly.  No one can deny that this promise had played a major role in his victory in the elections.  But just like any other promise, this too remained only on papers and never realized.  Now the CoD police have finally submitted the 'C' report which indicates that the culprits are still untraced and that the case has been closed for ever.

However, the family is still under the rude shock.  Sadashiv who was working in Goa earlier is at home while his two daughters too are at home.  While one of them has completed her graduation she is yet to find a good job through which she can support her family.  The other daughter is still studying.