The Karnataka Special Investigation Team on Saturday released the sketches of two suspects who had allegedly killed journalist Gauri Lankesh at her home in Bengaluru on September 5. The SIT sought help from the public to identify the suspects.
“We also have the video of the recce done by the suspects, which we will release,” SIT chief BK Singh told reporters. The sketches were made by two different artists based on separate eyewitness accounts, he added.
Singh said there had been no evidence to show that any particular organisation was involved in the attack. He said that reports on Sanatan Sanstha’s involvement was only available in the media.
“We cannot ascertain religion of suspects by external appearances like tilak or earrings as that could be done to mislead,” Singh said, adding that more than 200 people were investigated in the case. He also said there had been no confirmation that the weapons used in the murders of Lankesh and rationalist MM Kalburgi were the same.
Lankesh was known for her strong views against right-wing politics. Her killing had sparked protests around the country, and was seen by many as another in a spate of attacks that have targeted activists and writers critical of right-wing politics.
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