Karnataka Chief Minister K Siddaramaiah has ordered a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe into the murder of activist-journalist Gauri Lankesh.
Addressing the media on Wednesday at Ravindra Kalakshetra, the CM assured of a fair probe into the killing.
Terming the killing as an ‘organized crime’, the CM, in a series of tweets, said that the SIT would be headed by someone who is at the level of the Inspector-General of Police.
Assassination of Gauri Lankesh appears to be an organised crime. Have directed DG-IGP of state to constitute an SIT under IGP level officer.
— CM of Karnataka (@CMofKarnataka) September 6, 2017
He informed that three investigative teams are probing the crime presently, and assured that the culprits would be nabbed.
3 investigative teams are heading the investigation now. We are confident of nabbing the culprits and bringing them to book at the earliest.
— CM of Karnataka (@CMofKarnataka) September 6, 2017
He also directed the police department to provide protection to other progressive thinkers and rationalists in the state.
I have also directed the Police department to provide protection to progressive thinkers & prominent social activists across Karnataka.
— CM of Karnataka (@CMofKarnataka) September 6, 2017
Meanwhile, the Union Home Ministry has sought a detailed report from the Karnataka government on the killing.
"Ministry of Home Affairs has asked for a report from the Karnataka government on the killing of senior journalist Gauri Lankesh," a Home Ministry official told IANS, requesting anonymity.
Gauri Lankesh, described as a firebrand journalist was shot dead on Tuesday night at her residence in Raja Rajeshwari Nagar, Bengaluru, by unidentified assailants, which evoked massive protests across the country. Her body was kept at the Ravindra Kalakshetra for the public to pay their respects.
Gauri was the editor of popular Kannada tabloid 'Gauri Lankesh Patrike,' who closely worked with farmers, and made efforts to bring the Maoists into the mainstream.
With IANS inputs