SIT yet to rule out Naxal angle in Gauri Lankesh killing

BENGALURU: The Special Investigation Team probing the murder of journalist-activist Gauri Lankesh is yet to rule out the involvement of Naxals, suspicions of which first surfaced on Wednesday . And a day after a report from local officers and personnel from Dakshina Kannada, senior officers had requested help from Andhra Pradesh. On Saturday, an AP team specialised in dealing with Naxals arrived here to help the SIT probe the role of left extremists, if any, in the murder. "One team which reached Dakshina Kannada said that around seven Naxals are active there and they are in constant touch with their counterparts in Andhra Pradesh. So we requested the team from that state to join the investigation. We haven't ruled out the Naxal role in the murder," a senior officer told TOI. SIT sources said heavy rain soon after the murder on Tuesday night -about 40 minutes after Gauri was shot -washed away potential evidence. "Evidence such as fingerprints on the gate or compound and hair samples, among other things, have all been washed away," a source said. The SIT, along with a FSL team revisited the spot on Saturday and recreated the crime. At Gauri's house, the SIT found documents pertaining to 60 defamation cases against the her over many years. "The plaintiffs include politicians from across parties, private persons and government officials. In all, she had 60 defamation cases against her and Gauri was convicted in two cases.Currently, she was out on bail in the convicted cases," an investigating officer said.60 calls received As the SIT continued its investigation, the number (9480800202) set up to seek information from the public received around 60 calls."None of the callers gave us any clues. They expressed sympathy for Gauri and gave suggestions, including how we must check CCTV cameras," an officer said. SIT HAS VITAL CLUES, SAYS REDDY A day after the government announced Rs 10 lakh for those who give information on the killers of journalist-activist Gauri Lankesh, leading to speculation that the case has hit a deadend, home minister Ramalinga Reddy on Saturday said the investigation team has gathered some crucial clues."The SIT is investigating the case and there's progress, but I cannot reveal everything to the media," he told reporters after a meeting with top police officials.On reports that a similar weapon was used in the attacks on rationalists Narendra Dabholkar, Govind Pansare and M M Kalburgi, Reddy said: "A similar weapon was used in the first three killings but I cannot confirm or deny if the same weapon was used to kill Gauri. The SIT is working on different angles; let the probe findings be revealed." FAMILY MEETS CM the family members of Gauri met chief minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday and cleared the air on their stance, following conflicting reports that they had sought CBI probe over the SIT set up by the state government."Indira Lankesh and Kavita Lankesh told me that they have faith in the SIT probe and I have reassured them of the government's resolve to swiftly bring Gauri's killer to book," Siddaramaiah said. He said Congress president Sonia Gandhi also spoke to him on Saturday and asked to ensure the assailants are caught immediately.