Mangalore : Dakshina Kannada District Superintendent of Police Abhishekh Goel has on October 14, Sunday confirmed that  17 year old Sowjanya was raped and murdered by Santosh Rao has been arrested after he was handed over to the police by the public earlier during the week.

The SP said the 34 year old Santosh Rao of Bajagoli in Karkala had confessed of raping and murdering Sowjanya who was on way home.

The SP said the mentally ill person revealed the truth while he was interrogated with the help of a psychiatrist. Goyal said the girl was not gangraped and Santosh alone had committed the heinous act. The SP also said that the accused had taken away the undergarments of the girl after  committing the act.

He said the accused would be produced before the court.