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CM Siddaramaiah orders SIT probe into journalist Lankesh’s killing

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Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday advised Director General and Inspector General of Police (DG&IGP) to constitute a special investigation team (SIT) headed by an Inspector General of Police to probe well-known journalist Gauri Lankesh’s murder case.

Speaking to media persons after holding a meeting with senior police officers at Vidhana Soudha to discuss the measures to be taken to nab the accused in Gauri Lankesh’s murder, the chief minister said the government has taken this incident seriously.

“The government, instead of ordering a probe by Crime Investigation Department (CID), has ordered for the constitution of a special team to probe the murder case. Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy and DG&IGP will decide on the police officer to head the SIT. The government has given freedom to the DG&IGP to select as many police officers he wants to probe the case,’’ the chief minister said.

CBI probe

Responding to a query on the demand for CBI probe by Gauri’s brother Indrajit Lankesh, the chief minister said the government has no objection to handover the case to the CBI.

“The government will consider the demand for the CBI probe if late Gauri’s family members are particular about it. The government is open to consider their demand,’’ he said.

CCTV footage

The chief minister said the police are looking into the footage of four CCTV cameras installed at Gauri’s residence. “The image of one person wearing a helmet was captured in one of the CCTV cameras. The assailant shooting Gauri at a point blank was also captured in the CCTV camera. There is no information on the number of assailants and how many vehicles were used by them to escape from the spot,’’ he said.

Great loss

Describing Gauri Lankesh’s murder as a great loss to leftwing activists and their programmes, the chief minister said the murder was a pre-planned conspiracy.

“At this juncture, I can’t say who was behind this conspiracy and where it was planned. Gauri’s murder was a big shock for me. She was very close to me. I know her for quite a long time. She met me many a times but never told me about the threat to her life,’’ he said.

Protection for progressive thinkers

The chief minister said the police were advised to keep a vigil on social media. “I have also asked the police to identify the progressive thinkers and prominent social activists across Karnataka and provide them adequate protection,’’ he said.

When asked whether same killers of Kalburgi, Pansare and Dabolkar are involved in Gauri’s murder, the chief minister said similar weapons used in Kalburgi, Pansare and Dabolkar. “In this case we don’t know yet so can’t link it with those killings,’’ he said.

He refused to agree with allegations on the deterioration of law and order in the backdrop of Dr. M.M. Kalburgi and Gauri Lankesh. “The law and order is good in the state,’’ he said.

Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy, Minister for Social Welfare H. Anjaneya, and senior government officials were present on the occasion.

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