Gauri Lankesh Murder: 3 Investigation Teams Formed; Key Evidences Found

Bengaluru: Three police teams have been formed to investigate the murder of senior Kannada journalist, social activist Gauri Lankesh and bring the unidentified culprits behind the scene into light, said Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah speaking to the media persons on Tuesday late night.

The investigation teams led by Central Crime Branch (CCB) joint commissioner Satheesh Kumr, Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs) of Chikkapete and Kengeri sub divisions have began their investigation into the case on Tuesday.  The police have taken footages of CCTV cameras installed at the premises of the residence of Gauri Lankesh and nearby areas of the locality. The police reportedly found three people suspiciously wandering in the area before the murder of the writer.

The police have found the registration number of the motor cycle used to murder the activist and efforts are underway to draw the images of the suspects, sources said.

Senior Kannada journalist-activist Gauri Lankesh, known for her left-leaning outlook and forthright views against Hindutva politics, was shot dead by unidentified assailants at her residence on September 5, 2017. Gauri, aged 55, had returned home in her car and was opening the gate when motorcycle-borne assailants fired at her indiscriminately with two bullets hitting her in the chest and one on her forehead, police officials stated. She died instantaneously after the attack.

Four bullets hit the compound wall of her building in Rajarajeshwari Nagar. Gauri edited Kannada tabloid ‘Gauri Lankesh Patrike’ besides owning some other publications, and was known for her forthright views against hard line Hindutva politics.