Live: SIT Comprising 19 Officers to Probe Gauri Lankesh’s Murder
Several protests have been planned in cities across India in the wake of the killing of journalist Gauri Lankesh.
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Gauri Lankesh, senior journalist-activist, was shot dead by unidentified assailants at her residence in Rajarajeshwari Nagar in West Bengaluru late on 5 September.
The 55-year-old editor, of the Kannada tabloid ‘Gauri Lankesh Patrike’, was opening the gate to her house, after having returned home in her car when unidentified motorcycle-borne assailants fired at her indiscriminately. Two bullets hit her in the chest, while one hit her forehead, police said. She died on the spot.
- Home Minister Rajnath Singh has sought a report from the Karnataka government on Gauri Lankesh’s death
- The journalist-activist was shot dead by unidentified assailants in front of her Bengaluru home late on 5 September
- The murder was “a pre-planned attack by organised criminals,” Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah said
- Lankesh was a vocal critic of right-wing parties in Karnataka
- In 2016, she was convicted for defamation for an article claiming three BJP leaders had duped a jeweller of Rs 1 lakh
19 Officer-Strong SIT to Probe Gauri Lankesh's Murder
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) comprising 19 officers headed by IGP Intelligence BK Singh will probe Gauri Lankesh’s murder.
The Quint accessed a copy of the order on the SIT.
"We Want a CBI Probe": Karantaka BJP
Concurring with the Lankesh family’s demands for a CBI probe into the murder of Gauri Lankesh, BJP leader S Suresh Kumar said,
CM Siddaramaiah Briefs Rahul Gandhi
(PTI) Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has briefed Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi on the killing of senior journalist and activist Gauri Lankesh, which has sparked nationwide outrage and protests.
Officials at the CMO said Siddaramaiah spoke to Gandhi over phone.
Confirming his talks with Siddaramaiah, Gandhi said in a tweet,
Gauri Lankesh Laid to Rest with Full State Honours
Gauri Lankesh’s mortal remains were brought to the Chamarajpet crematorium in Bengaluru, where Chief Minister Siddaramaiah paid his final respects.
With a 21-gun salute, the funeral was done with full state honours.
CCTV Footage Being Analysed to Identify Shooter
Footage from two CCTV cameras found in the vicinity of the house – one in front of the house and one at the door of the house – have been sent for analysis. Reports on Wednesday afternoon revealed that footage from a total of 33 CCTV cameras around in the scene of crime are being analysed.
Bengaluru police commissioner Suneel Kumar told TNM on Wednesday that they were still going through the CCTV footage. “The lighting was dim. We are unable to specifically identify who it was yet. We have got reports from people on the spot that they saw two men on a scooter riding up and down the road. We are still investigating,” he said.
Watch: The Quint is Live From the Delhi Press Club
Prakash Javadekar Urges for Immediate Investigation
Union Minister and BJP in-charge in Karnataka urged the government to launch an immediate investigation into Gauri Lankesh’s murder.
Youth Detained, Released After Questioning
A youth from Chikmagalur district was detained on suspicion of killing Gauri Lankesh, but was released after questioning.
‘She Was a Journo, Not a Terrorist’
US Condemns Gauri Lankesh's Murder
Have Ordered SIT to Probe Lankesh's Murder: Siddaramaiah
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who was also present at Ravindra Kala Kshethra to pay his last respects, reiterated that Gauri’s murder was “a pre-planned attack by organised criminals” and that he “personally examined the CCTV footage”.
“One of the cameras, clearly shows a man with a jacket and helmet, shooting at her, as she entered the compound of her house. Due to the impact, she was so thrown off. This much is clear in the video,” he said.
The Quint accessed a copy of the government’s order on the SIT
Friends, Family Members Pay Respects
Gauri Lankesh’s mortal remains were brought to Ravindra Kala Kshethra, where friends and family members gathered to pay their last respects.
Home Ministry Seeks Report on Lankesh's Death
The Union Home Ministry has sought a report from the Karnataka government Gauri Lankesh’s death, an official said.
The move came after Home Minister Rajnath Singh directed Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba to get a report from the state government.
The Karnataka government has been asked to provide details of the incident and the steps taken to nab those involved in the killing, the official added.
Visuals From Protest in Chennai
Protesters gathered outside the Press Club in Chennai on Wednesday to condemn Gauri Lankesh’s death.
Three Bullets Recovered During Post-Mortem
Police sources told The Quint that three bullets were recovered from Gauri Lankesh’s body during post-mortem.
'Identity Gauri Lankesh's Killer, Take Prompt Action': RSS to Govt
In an official statement, the RSS “questioned” the murder of Gauri Lankesh and urged the government to take prompt action.
We Have Nothing to Do With Lankesh's Murder: Gadkari
Responding to Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi’s statement on Gauri Lankesh’s murder, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said: “These are baseless allegations... We have nothing to with the murder. The onus to maintain the law and order is on the state government, that is the Congress”.
Earlier, Rahul Gandhi had told ANI: “Anybody who speaks against the ideology of the BJP or RSS is threatened, attacked and even killed.”
The BJP on Wednesday issued a statement condemning the activist’s death and urged for a swift action.
Instructed Police to Protect Activists: Karnataka CM
Addressing media on Wednesday, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that he has asked the police to take up the case on priority and added that the “law and order situation in Karnataka is very good”.
Elaborating on the probe in the case, the CM said that the CCTV footage and images are being looked into in a detailed manner.
He pointed at the similarity in weapons used in Kalburgi, Pansare and Dabholkar killings. “In this case, we don’t know yet so can’t draw any links yet.”
The Quint is Live From Bengaluru's Town Hall
'Gauri's Killing Raises Alarm About State of Freedom in India'
Amnesty International India, while condemning the killing of Gauri Lankesh, said the incident “raises alarms about the state of freedom of expression in the country”
“Gauri Lankesh was never afraid of speaking truth to power. Her assassination must be thoroughly investigated and the perpetrators brought to justice,” said Asmita Basu, Programmes Director at Amnesty International India. “The police must investigate whether she was killed because of her journalism.”
Live From Protest in Bengaluru
The News Minute is live from the protest in Bengaluru.
Editors Guild of India Condemns Murder, Demands Judicial Probe
Union Minister Smriti Irani offered her condolences and hoped for a “speedy investigation”.
Visuals From Protest at Town Hall in Bengaluru
Karnataka CM Holds Emergency Meet
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah holds emergency meeting with top officials on Gauri Lankesh’s murder investigation.
Gauri's Family Presses For CBI Probe
On Monday morning, police intensified investigation into Gauri Lankesh’s murder.
The post-mortem is being conducted at Victoria Hospital and will continue for few more hours as the forensic experts are trying to recover a bullet lodged inside the body, Lankesh’s brother Indrajith said.
He added that she wanted to donate her eyes and her “wish has been fulfilled”.
Truth Will Never Be Silenced: Rahul Gandhi
Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi condemned the killing Gauri Lankesh, saying the truth will never be silenced.
Speaking to ANI, Rahul Gandhi said that he has spoken to the Karnataka CM and has mentioned that people involved in the killing must be caught and punished.
Gauri's Murder "An Assassination on Democracy"
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah termed her death shocking and “an assassination on democracy”. He said three police teams have been constituted to probe the killing and crack the case at the earliest.
Crime Scene Visuals
Protests Across India Today
Journalists and others are expected to come together for protests in various cities on Wednesday, 6 September. Here are the timings and venues:
- Ahmedabad: 4:00 pm, Laldarwaja, Sadar Baug
- Bengaluru: 8:45 am, Naik Bhavan
- Dharwad: 10 am, MM Kalburgi's residence
- Delhi: 11 am, Press Club
- Hyderabad: 4 pm, Sunderayya Vignana Kendram
- Pune: 4 pm, opposite SP College, Sadashiv Peth, Tilak Road
- Mangalore: 4 pm, Town Hall, Gandhi Statue
- Mumbai: 6 pm, Amphitheatre, Carter Road
Empty Cartridges Recovered
Bengaluru Police Commissioner T Suneel told ANI that they found Lankesh’s body in a pool of blood and four empty cartridges.
After a few hours of investigation, four bullet cartridges were recovered from the scene of crime. Although the rain stalled the investigation for some time, the team resumed the search once it subsided.
Bengaluru Police Commissioner, T Suneel Kumar said the police teams will continue to comb the premises for evidence. “She was definitely shot from a close range. Only a post-mortem report can confirm how many bullets hit her,” he said.
Read the full story here.
Gauri Lankesh Was a Vocal Critic of the Right Wing
Lankesh was the editor of the Kannada tabloid ‘Gauri Lankesh Patrike’, besides owning some other publications. She was a staunch critic of the BJP.
In 2016, she was convicted in a defamation case for writing an article claiming three BJP leaders had duped a jeweller of Rs 1 lakh. She was out on bail.
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