Cops to release names of Gauri Lankesh killers in weeks, says Karnataka Home Minister

In the past, there have been instances when the SIT and the minister’s statements have contradicted each other.
Cops to release names of Gauri Lankesh killers in weeks, says Karnataka Home Minister
Cops to release names of Gauri Lankesh killers in weeks, says Karnataka Home Minister
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It has been more than two months since noted activist-journalist Gauri Lankesh was murdered in cold-blood at her Bengaluru residence, with no arrests being made by the police so far.

But Karnataka Home MInister Ramalinga Reddy, speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, has suggested that investigation has reached its conclusion and claimed the special investigation team probing the murder have identified the killers. He added that their identities will soon be revealed and also that the delay is intended to gather evidence against the accused.

“There is no deadline for the completion of the probe, but it is only a matter of weeks now. Unlike the murders of Dabholkar and Pansare, where the probe has stretched on, the Special Investigation Team here has definite clues and knows the identities of those who killed Gauri Lankesh. The process of evidence collection is on,” the minister said.

 In the past, there have been instances when the SIT and the minister’s statements have contradicted each other.

Reddy on October 3 had made a similar statement, saying, "The Special Investigation Team got some clues on the killers of Lankesh. It's gathering evidence. We know about them but can't go public without evidence. We need hard evidence against the suspects to file even a chargesheet against them in a court. Otherwise, the case will not stand for trial.”

Gauri, 55, was found dead on the night of September 5 in front of her home in the city's south-west suburb after she was shot from close range by unidentified assailants who fled from the spot on a motorbike within minutes.

In an attempt to nab the killers, the state government had constituted the SIT and announced Rs 10 lakh reward to anyone giving information leading to their arrest.The 150-member SIT is headed by Inspector General of Police (IGP-Intelligence) BK Singh with Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) MN Anucheth as its main Investigation Officer (IO).

The police have been probing CCTV footage from 33 cameras in the vicinity of Gauri’s house, where she was shot by unknown assailants on two-wheelers on Tuesday evening. The police also said that the shooter was wearing a helmet the entire time, making it difficult for them to identify them even with face recognition technology.

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