Just three days after they released the sketches of two assailants of journalist-turned-activist Gauri lankesh, the SIT of Karnataka police probing the brutal murder have released the enlarged single photo of an assailant on a motor bike on Tuesday. A police officer probing the murder said the picture was extracted by an enlarged picture of a red colour pulsar motorcycle borne youth who is suspected to have conducted the recce of Gauri’s house before the incident.
According to the official, the grab was enlarged from the CCTV footage they obtained from the camera in front of her house. He also confirmed that the SIT took help of professional forensic lab to stretch the picture. “It is a major breakthrough and certain leads have been established,” said the officer on the condition of anonymity.
Gauri was brutally shot dead in front of her house at Rajarajeshwari Nagar an extension of Bengaluru on September 5. The assassinations of Gauri sent shock wave across the country which lead to widespread protests condemning the incident.
Editor of Gauri lankesh Patrike was known for her criticism of right wing politics and hidutva agenda.
Gauri’s death after thinker and writer MM Kaliburg’s unsolved murder ( in 2015) was a blot on the ruling congress government led by chief minister Siddaramaiah ahead of ensuing assembly polls in 2018. The government constituted a special investigation team led by Inspector General BK Singh to probe Gauri’s murder. The SIT few days back released the sketches of two assailants and sought help from the public. The government has also announced rupee 10 lakh for any information leads to her assailants.