Mangaluru: The Central Bureau of investigation (CBI) has given clean chit to the Dharmasthala temple Dharmadhikari Dr Veerendra Heggade and his family on Sunday, in a most controversial rape and murder of Soujanya (17) which took place on October 9, 2012.

Soujanya was a PU student at SDM PU College, Ujire. She had hacked to death after rapping her and her body was found in forest. There were strong allegations made by the local leaders saying that the Heggade family’s involvement is there in the case. The case was handed over to the CBI on November 6, 2013 after facing many protests.

Police had previously arrested Santhosh Rao in conection with the case. Local people and Soujanya’s family members have alleged the involvement of Nischal Jain, Son of Harshendra Kumar, younger brother of Veerendra Heggade and three others Dheeraj kella, Uday Jain and Mallik Jain.

Previously when CID was probing the case they had given clean chit to Nischal Jain, upon examining his passport, Visa and other documents.

After nearly four years, now the CBI has said that there is no strong evidence which proves the involvement of Heggade family in the case.