Gauri Lankesh Murder: As SIT Probe Begins, Family Wants Politics To Be Kept Out

The SIT on Friday studied the CCTV footage of the scene of murder of activist-journalist Gauri Lankesh for clues to track down the killers even as her family spoke against giving "political colour" to the incident.

The brother and sister of 55-year-old Gauri also appeared divided on the probe with the former saying he would approach the CBI or a court if they don't get justice from investigations by the SIT. While Indrajit favoured a CBI probe, Kavitha said the SIT which is currently investigating should be given time.

The Karnataka government on Wednesday announced the formation of a 21-member Special Investigation Team(SIT) headed by IGP (Intelligence) B K Singh to probe the killing that has led to a wave of countrywide protests and condemnation across the political spectrum. "SIT members have started their investigation into the Gauri Lankesh murder case and the state government is hopeful of nabbing the assailants as soon as possible," Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy said.

As a political slugfest erupted on the killing, her family today made a plea against giving political colour. The family also said the probe should look into all angles behind Gauri's killing, whether it is right wing or Naxals, as reports have emerged about possible Naxal hand other than suspected involvement of right wing extremists, the ideology that Gauri had opposed throughout her life.

"I request, please don't give political colour to Gauri's killings, please give justice for a journalist, a woman and to our sister," Gauri's brother Indrajit Lankesh, flanked by his other sister Kavitha Lankesh, said.

"Please don't take advantage by giving political colour to it. What I want to tell politicians, whichever party they are from, please don't colour this with political angle." Indrajit said Gauri had no personal enmity towards anyone. Gauri had only ideological enemies, no personal enemies.

"Every angle has to be probed whether it is right wing  extremists or Naxalites or any other angle, it has to be  probed," he said, adding that because she was rehabilitating  them (Naxals), if there was any differences, it has to be  probed.