The Gauri Lankesh murder case is close to being solved and the names of those involved will be revealed within weeks, Karnataka Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy said on Saturday.
Reddy said the Special Investigation Team had definite clues on the suspects in the journalist’s killing, and was collecting evidence, The Indian Express reported.
“There is no deadline for the completion of the probe, but it is only a matter of weeks now,” Reddy said. “Unlike the murders of Dabholkar and Pansare, where the probe has stretched on, the Special Investigation Team here has definite clues and knows the identities of those who killed Lankesh. The process of evidence collection is on.”
Unidentified SIT officials confirmed Reddy’s claim, The Indian Express reported, while adding that four people have been identified. In October, the team had released the sketches of two suspects.
Reddy had said in September as well, that the killers had been identified. “We know who it is,” he had said.
Lankesh was known for her strong views against right-wing politics. Her killing on September 5 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.
A day after her murder, the Karnataka government had formed the Special Investigation Team, and announced a reward of Rs 10 lakh for anyone who can help the police catch Lankesh’s killers.
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