As the Special Investigation Team(SIT) constituted to probe the murder of activist and Journalist Gauri lankesh has made no inroads, the Karnataka Government announced Rs 10 lakh reward to anyone who provides clues about her murder.
After a high-level meeting of police officials and SIT officers on Friday, Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy announced the reward.
Speaking to reporters after meeting Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Reddy said, “We will give Rs 10 lakh reward to anybody who gives clues about the culprits.”
“The Chief Minister (Siddaramaiah) has given instructions to intensify the investigation and nab the culprits as soon as possible. We have given enough officials to the SIT, if they need additional officers we are ready to give,” Reddy said.
Earlier the SIT had made a public announcement asking the public to share any information that they may have in connection with the case through a specific phone number and e-mail id.
Siddaramaiah held a meeting with the SIT to personally monitor the progress in the probe. Reddy, along with SIT chief BK Singh, Director General of Police RK Dutta and Intelligence DG AM Prasad were present at the meeting.
After nationwide protests over the brutal murder of Gauri lankesh, the Karnataka Government had formed a 21-member SIT headed by IGP (Intelligence) BK Singh to probe the murder.
Gauri lankesh, known to be an anti-establishment voice with strident anti-right wing views, was shot dead at close range by unknown assailants at her home in Bengaluru on September 5 night.
The Home Minister said the SIT was formed for a speedy probe and the intention to bring the culprit at the earliest. He was reacting to the concern expressed by Gauri’s family about the possibility of a delay in nabbing the culprits, citing the delay in solving rationalist MM Kalburgi murder case.
“The Government’s intention is to solve the case as quickly as possible... that’s the reason we have given so many officials to this case particularly. If more officials are required, we are ready to give,” he added.
On another question about the statement made by BJP MlA Jeevraj from Sringeri, he said he had asked the SIT to find out about it also.
“Jeevaraj had made a statement yesterday. I have asked the SIT to call him and find out with what intention he made the statement or did he say it casually. SIT will find out about it,” Reddy said.
“I don’t know whether there is any background to the statement. But when Gauri lankesh died no BJP leaders came to her house or Ravindra Kalakshetra or the burial ground to pay last respects. I don’t know what is the reason,” he added.
Jeevaraj, while flagging off a bike rally organised by the party in Koppa on Thursday against killings of “Hindu activists” in the State, had reportedly said that “had Gauri condemned the killing of BJP activists and criticised Siddaramaiah, do you think she would have been murdered todayIJ”