Got clues on Lankesh killers, says Karnataka Minister

Bengaluru, Oct 2 : Karnataka Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy on Monday said the investigation team probing the killing of journalist-activist Gauri Lankesh has got "some clues" on the killers and knows who is behind it, but is waiting to gather more concrete evidence.

"The Special Investigation Team (SIT) got some clues on the killers of Lankesh. It's gathering evidence. We know about them (killers) but can't go public without evidence," Reddy told reporters at Chikkaballapura town, about 60 km from Bengaluru.

Lankesh, 55, was found dead on September 5 night in front of her home in the city's south-west suburb after she was shot from close range by unidentified assailants who fled from the spot on a motorbike within minutes.

"We need hard evidence against the suspects to file even a charge-sheet against them in a court. Otherwise, the case will not stand for trial," asserted Reddy on the margins of a Gandhi Jayanti function.

In an attempt to nab the killers, the state government had constituted the SIT and announced Rs 10 lakh reward to anyone giving information leading to their arrest.

The 150-member SIT is headed by Inspector General of Police (IGP-Intelligence) B.K. Singh with Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) M.N. Anucheth as its main Investigation Officer (IO).