Bengaluru: The murder of journalist activist Gauri Lankesh on September 5, 2017 rocked the nation and a huge outcry followed. A special investigation team (SIT) was constituted in order to crack the case and till this month, it seemed like they were going nowhere. However, news is now emerging that four suspects have been detained.
K T Naveen alias Hotte Manja, alleged to be an activist of the Hindu Jagran Vedike, was taken into custody by the SIT from the the Majestic area here, in connection with the murder of Lankesh. Naveen is a native of Kadalur in the Maddur taluk of Mandya district.
It is reported that Naveen had visited the Majestic area with a pistol on February 18 after which he was taken into custody by the SIT. They also recovered the country made pistol and five 0.32 mm live rounds from him and a case was registered in the Upparpet police station.
Based on information provided by Naveen, it is alleged that three men from Mangaluru were detained in connection with the case and have been transported here for further investigation.
It has also been claimed that Naveen possesses information about the Lankesh murder even though he was not directly involved. However, he is said to have aided the men responsible for her murder, by sheltering them and feeding them information about Lankesh. He is also alleged to have helped them scope out the area around Lankesh’s residence and office.
These reports, however, have not been confirmed by police and the Hindu Jagran Vedike too has come forward to clarify that Naveen does not belong to their organisation.
Home Minister of Karnataka, Ramalinga Reddy has said that no arrests have been made in connection with the case but, hinted that the investigation was moving in the right direction.
