Gauri Lankesh murder: CCTV footage, eyewitnesses provide fresh clues; police teams visit other states

According to the CCTV footage, the assailants recced the senior journalist and activist's house twice on the day of the murder.

Rohini Swamy  | Edited by Sonalee Borgohain
Bengaluru, September 17, 2017 | UPDATED 15:19 IST

The Special Investigating Team (SIT) has made fresh revelations in the Gauri Lankesh murder case about the assailants after scanning CCTV footage. According to the footage, the assailants recced the senior journalist and activist's house twice on the day of the murder.

The SIT team, which took over the case two days after the murder, is also analysing at least 600 digital video recordings and CCTV footage which are expected to give it vital clues.

The SIT chief personally visited the crime scene five times since the day of the incident to gather information which could help crack the case.

HERE IS ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW

  1. Eyewitnesses have given details to the SIT on the route and the vehicle the assailants used to flee from the spot.
  2. With the help of the CCTV footage and eyewitness accounts, the SIT confirmed that there were two people involved in the murder but the one caught on camera gunned down Gauri.
  3. The SIT is, however, yet to receive the ballistic report from the forensic experts.
  4. According to sources, there is a similarity in the murders of MM Kalburgi and Gauri Lankesh. The investigation indicates that the method of killing and the murder weapon is same.
  5. "There is no pressure on the team to produce immediate results. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had called the team just once to say that there should be a proper investigation," sources said.
  6. Two Scotland Yard officials, with special expertise in technical investigation, were roped in to assist the investigating team crack the Gauri Lankesh murder case.
  7. Police are also questioning two former Naxals, Sirimane Nagaraj and Noor Sridhar, who were brought into mainstream by Gauri.
  8. A team of SIT officials visited the Bangalore Central Jail as well to question various inmates including sharpshooters and contract killers.
  9. The probe team is quizzing a history-sheeter Kunigal Giri, whose associates were found near Gauri's house. Giri is in judicial custody at the Ballard jail for his involvement in the rampant arms deals in the city.

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