Gauri Lankesh murder: "Probe by CBI if SIT doesn't crack case in two weeks"

The government has set up a Special Investigating Team to probe the murder.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday said that his government will transfer probe in Gauri Lankesh's murder to the Central Bureau of Investigation if the SIT is unable to crack it. Siddaramaiah added that Lankesh family has asked for the case to be cracked in two weeks.

"Gauri Lankesh's family has asked the SIT to solve the case within two weeks. If that does not happen, we will hand over the case to the CBI," Siddaramaiah said.

The Karnataka government on Friday announced a reward of Rs 10 lakh for any credible information in journalist Gauri Lankesh murder case. A special investigation team headed by senior IPS officer B K Singh is probing the incident.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday held a meeting with Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy and officials of the SIT to take stock of the developments in the probe. Despite two CCTV cameras installed outsider Gauri's residence, the investigating team is finding it difficult to piece evidence together. While multiple persons including Gauri's neighbors, colleagues and family are being questioned, the police have sought public's help in providing vital clues to aide the investigation.

"The Chief Minister held a review meeting with the officials of the SIT and the probe is moving in the right direction. Culprits will be arrested at the earliest. We are in the process of collecting evidence. We have announced a reward of Rs 10 lakh to anyone willing to come forward with vital information," said Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy. Gauri Lankesh's family, in the meanwhile, has dropped the demand for a CBI probe and claimed that SIT should be given a chance.

The Home Minister also condemned the statements made by BJP MLA Jeevraj over Gauri's death. The MLA had said that Gauri would have been alive had she not written ill about the RSS.

OneIndia News