Did Gauri Lankesh’s Killers Live Near Her Home? Cops Launch Probe

Police has requested the cooperation of PGs, hotels & other establishments in the neighbourhood where Lankesh lived.

These establishments have been asked to furnish details of any suspicious activities or persons

(Photo Courtesy: PTI)

After the murder of journalist and activist Gauri Lankesh in front of her Raja Rajeshwari Nagar residence, the entire neighbourhood is now under the scanner of the Special Investigative Team (SIT).

On the morning of 20 September, homeowners, the staff of lodges and hotels in the area opened their newspapers to find a pamphlet issued by the SIT, requesting them to assist with the investigation.

The SIT has asked these indiviuals to provide them with the details of anyone who may have moved out of rented homes or lodges after 5 September – the day Gauri Lankesh was murdered.

Also Read: Gauri Lankesh Murder: SIT Nowhere Near Identifying the Killer

A total of 22,000 such pamphlets have been printed and distributed to paying guest accommodations, hostels, religious guest houses and resorts in Raja Rajeshwari Nagar.

These establishments have been asked to furnish details of any suspicious activities or persons. They have asked to provide information about anyone who has moved out of these establishments after 5 September.

The SIT has handed out a mobile phone number and an email address to send across any details anyone might have.

A total of 22,000 such pamphlets have been printed and distributed to paying guest accommodations, hostels etc. (Photo Courtesy: The News Minute)

“We have come to know that the assailant had conducted a reconnaissance of Gauri Lankesh’s home a few hours before she was killed. We want to know if the assailant was familiar with this area. Hence, we have asked for information to figure out the identity of the killers,” said an investigating officer.

This move by the SIT is aimed at ascertaining where the assailant is from.

Gauri Lankesh was murdered in cold blood outside her home in Bengaluru’s Raja Rajeshwari Nagar on 5 September.

The police said that the assailant had twice conducted a recce of Gauri’s home on the day the murder occurred. The police also suspect that a red-coloured Pulsar bike was used by the assailant for the recce.

The SIT has also taken the statements of former gangsters Agni Sreedhar and Muttappa Rai.

Sreedhar told the SIT that the Hindu Brigade sleeper cells may be involved in Gauri’s murder.

Also Read: Exclusive | Detailed Account of Gauri Lankesh Murder Probe So Far

(This article was originally posted on The News Minute and has been republished with permission.)

(#TalkingStalking: Have you ever been stalked? Share your experience with The Quint and inspire others to shatter the silence surrounding stalking. Send your stories to [e-mail] or WhatsApp @ [phone].)