SIT suspects Amol and Nihal behind Gauri's murder

Bengaluru: The special investigation team (SIT) investigating the murder case of senior journalist Gauri Lankesh is suspicious about Amol Kale and fugitive accused Nihal alias Dada being the masterminds behind the murder.

Amol Kale (37) from Pune is currently in SIT custody, while Nihal, is missing. Nihal’s name was mentioned in the remand application submitted by the SIT to court seeking custody of the accused.

Manohar Yadave, another accused in this case confessed to the SIT team that he informed Khale and Nihal about Guari’s movements. It is reported that KT Naveen and Manohar watched Gauri when she ran her errands. SIT sources said, “this clearly indicates that Kale and Dada were the masterminds. However, we need some more material and evidence to prove.”

Naveen Kumar’s wife, Roopa, said her husband had bought a pistol and would offer his blood to it during Ayudha Puja festival.

“He respected all castes and creeds, but strictly stuck to Hinduism. On September 5, we travelled to Mangaluru in a government bus. On reaching the bus stand, a cab driver picked us up and dropped us at an ashram. Next morning, TV channels were beaming news of Gauri’s killing. I told my husband about it, and he did not react,” her statement in the chargesheet read. 

Further Shabbir, a staffer working at a gun store at the City Market, said that Naveen had purchased around 18 bullets from him eight years ago.