Gauri Lankesh murder probe nearing completion: Karnataka Minister

The investigation into the murder of activist and journalist Gauri Lankesh is nearing completion and the names of the perpetrators will be revealed in a “matter of weeks”, Karnataka Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy told reporters in Bengaluru on Saturday. The probe had narrowed down on the suspects. “There is no deadline for the completion of the probe, but it is only a matter of weeks now. Unlike the murders of Dabholkar and Pansare [who were murdered in Maharasthra in the past three years]), where the probe has stretched on, the Special Investigation Team here has definite clues and knows the identities of those who killed Ms. Lankesh. The process of evidence collection is on,” he said. ‘Central agencies being misused’ Central agencies such as the Income-Tax Department, the Enforcement Directorate and the CBI and even the Election Commission of India were being “misused” against the Opposition, alleged Mr. Reddy. Recently, Minister M.B. Patil alleged that his phone was being tapped; and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah alleged that IT officials told Minister D.K. Shivakumar, during a raid, to join the BJP. “This is what happens when there is an autocratic government in the country where all the power is vested in one person. All agencies are being misused on a large scale, something that was not seen in the previous UPA government,” said Mr. Reddy. He added that senior police officials were asked to present a report on Mr. Patil’s allegation.