Gauri Day: Lankesh family dissents over CBI probe in case

Gauri Lankesh was shot dead by unidentified assailants on September 5, 2017.

On her birth anniversary, Gauri Lankesh's family is divided over whether the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) should probe her murder. While her sister, Kavita, chose to take part in 'Gauri Day' celebrations, the slain journalist's brother, Indrajith, deemed it a "government sponsored event" and chose to offer prayers at her burial place.

"I want justice for my sister and demand a CBI probe into the case. It has been over five months since her death and there has been no breakthrough," Indrajith Lankesh said on Monday. While activists, student leaders, writers, rationalists from across the country gathered in Bengaluru to celebrate 'Gauri Day' as mark of respect for Gauri Lankesh, Indrajith deemed it a government sponsored event and refused to take part.

The rest of Gauri's family is not in agreement with Indrajith's demand. "Transferring case to another agency means starting Investigations from scratch. It is time consuming and waste of all the effort that has already been put in," Kavita Lankesh said. She expressed confidence in the Special Investigation Team (SIT) and the direction in which the probe is headed.

The Karnataka government has decided to steer clear of controversy in the matter. State Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy chose to only reiterate that the SIT was on the right track. "I cannot comment on the family's demands. They are anxious. The SIT is doing its work well and we will be successful in the case," he said.

Gauri Lankesh, a journalist and activist was shot dead by unidentified assailants outside her residence in Bengaluru in September last year.

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