Bengaluru, Jun 12: The special investigation team (SIT) of Karnataka police probing the murder of journalist-cum-activist Gauri Lankesh has arrested two saffron extremists – one from north Karnataka and the other from Maharashtra.
26-year-old Parshuram Wagmare, son of Ashok Wagmare, was arrested by SIT and produced before the 3rd ACMM court. He has been sent to 14-day police custody for further interrogation.
"What we can say now is, the person we have arrested may be the shooter himself. But we need time to prove it," a senior police officer said.
Earlier in the day, office bearers of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti held a press meet in Bengaluru saying SIT had taken two men from north Karnataka for questioning. "SIT have taken Parashuram Wagmore and Sunil Asgar for questioning in the case. Both are innocent. The probing team is trying to defame Hindu outfits," office bearers of the Samiti said.
Man who shot Gauri held in Maharashtra?
On Monday, the SIT arrested a Marathi-speaking man who is suspected to have shot dead journalist-activist Gauri Lankesh.
SIT sources said the suspect was caught in Maharashtra but refused to divulge the location. “We need to question him before making a comment,” a senior SIT officer was quoted as saying by news channels.
Elaborating on the suspect picked up by cops in Maharashtra, an SIT source said, “One of our teams picked up the Marathispeaking man in his late 30s. He is 5’1” tall, and weighs about 75-80kg. No pistol or firearms were found on him.”
The Forensic Sciences Laboratory that studied the CCTV footage of suspects conducting recce at Gauri’s home in Bengaluru had opined that the bike-borne assailant was about 5’2” or 5’1” tall and weighed 70-80kg.
Based on CCTV footage and details gathered during the probe, the SIT has sketches of four suspects, including that of Gauri’s killer. The sketches were prepared based on the description provided by Anil Kumar of Srirangapatna, a friend of accused K T Naveen Kumar who has been chargesheeted for his role in providing logistics in the murder case.
The SIT had produced Anil Kumar before a local court and had taken his statement under Section 64 of the CrPC, which means it can be used as evidence. As per the chargesheet, Naveen confessed to plotting Gauri’s killing with Praveen. Praveen allegedly sought his help to eliminate rationalist K S Bhagawan, also a target.
Cops also picked up Amol Kale from Pune, Amit Degvekar from Sindhudurg and Manohar Yadave from Vijayapura for plotting to kill Bhagawan. All four accused are also under the scanner for their role in Gauri’s murder. Kale’s associate Nihal alias Dada is missing. Police suspect he is the crucial link in the case.
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