Gauri Lankesh murder: SIT questions Sri Rama Sene's Vijayapura chief

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Gauri Lankesh murder case questioned Vijayapura district Sri Rama Sene Chief Rakesh Math for over six hours on Saturday to examine his links to alleged shooter Parashuram Waghmore.

The investigation came hours after the Sri Rama Sene published a Facebook post, appealing for people to financially support Waghmore's family.

The SIT team probing the case questioned Rakesh Math for over six hours, till late on Saturday night. They suspect Waghmore had been working for Sri Rama Sene and was an active member of the organisation.

"We are investigating his links to the Sri Rama Sene. We questioned him yesterday and if it is required, we will bring him in for questioning again," said BK Singh, Addl Commissioner of Police (West), Bengaluru City.

The probe comes few days after Sri Rama Sene founder Pramod Muthalik categorically denied knowing Parashuram Waghmore or his links to the organisation, after a picture of the two of them standing side by side went viral on social media.

"It is easy to distance himself from the suspect but if you go to Bijapur, the situation is different. We cannot confirm it at the moment and we will be continuing this thorough investigation," added BK Singh.

Meanwhile, sources suggested that the SIT probing the case had procured a confession from Waghmore. Sources in the SIT say that the Waghmore had allegedly gone to kill Gauri Lankesh a few days prior to September 5, but could not carry out the task as the journalist was already inside her house.

The probe team is now looking into three more suspects including Nihal alias Dada, who was one of the men who handed over the weapon to Waghmore.