Karnataka: Gauri Lankesh's Murder Accused Get Grand Welcome After Being Released On Bail

Parashuram Waghmore and Manohar Yadve, accused of murdering journalist Gauri Lankesh, were granted bail by a Bengaluru court, sparking celebrations and controversy among pro-Hindu supporters.

Two men, Parashuram Waghmore and Manohar Yadve, accused of murdering journalist Gauri Lankesh, were released on bail by a Bengaluru sessions court. Upon their release from Parappana Agrahara prison, they were greeted with a hero's welcome in Vijayapura by pro-Hindu supporters.

The duo was welcomed with garlands, orange shawls, and celebratory chants. They visited a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji to pay respects and later offered prayers at the Kalika temple. Supporters claimed the men were wrongfully imprisoned for six years.

Pro-Hindu Supporters Celebrate

A prominent pro-Hindu leader expressed that the day held special significance as it coincided with Vijayadasami. He stated, "Today is Vijayadasami, a significant day for us. We welcomed Parashuram Waghmore and Manohar Yadve, who have been unfairly jailed for six years on charges related to the murder of Gauri Lankesh. The real culprits have yet to be found, but these men were targeted simply because they are pro-Hindu workers. Their families have suffered, and this injustice needs serious introspection."

Besides Waghmore and Yadve, other individuals including Amol Kale, Rajesh D Bangera, Vasudev Suryawanshi, Rushikesh Devadekar, Ganesh Miskin, and Amith Ramachandra Baddi also received bail on October 9. This information was reported by LiveLaw.

Background of the Case

Gauri Lankesh was a senior journalist known for her critical stance against extreme Hindutva ideologies. She was tragically shot dead by three motorcycle-borne assailants outside her Bengaluru home on September 5, 2017. Her murder sparked outrage across India.

The incident led to widespread condemnation and calls for justice. In December 2023, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah ordered the creation of a special court to speed up the trial process for those accused in Lankesh's murder case.

The release of Waghmore and Yadve has reignited discussions about justice and accountability in high-profile cases like this one. The public remains divided over the implications of their release on bail.