Bengaluru, Oct. 14 (IANS): The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the murder last month of journalist-activist Gauri Lankesh on Saturday released three sketches of two persons suspected to be her killers.
“Three sketches of two suspects have been made on the basis of their description by eyewitness accounts and the CCTV footage obtained. Two sketches of one suspect were made by two sketch-makers as per eyewitness accounts,” SIT head and Inspector General of Police (IGP) B.K. Singh told reporters here.
Lankesh, 55, editor of Kannada weekly tabloid “Gauri Lankesh Patrike” was shot dead outside her house in the city’s southwest suburb on the night of September 5, sparking outrage and nationwide protests.
“We have got video clips of a motorcycle rider who is suspected to be involved in the commission of the offence,” asserted Singh. Giving an account of the investigation conducted over the last one month, Singh said the suspects, aged between 25-35 years, were residing in the city for at least one week before they committed the crime.
“It is suspected that these persons stayed in the area near the residence of Gauri Lankesh,” he said. The SIT has interrogated more than 200-250 people as part of the investigation so far, added Singh.
“We request the public to help us find their hideouts in the city,” he added. The team is investigating “all the angles with a free mind”, he said. Along with sketches of the suspects, the SIT has also released to the public two video clips captured through CCTVs around the locality of Lankesh’s residence showing a motor cycle rider wearing a helmet.
Those sharing any information that could lead to the killers shall be rewarded as announced by the state government, he said. “Public is requested to share any information they may have related to the suspects or the motor cycle used by them on the number 9480800202 and on email sit.glankesh@ksp.gov.in,” Singh said.
