Differences among siblings of Gouri Lankesh over murder probe

Gauri LankeshThe commemoration of the 56th birthday today of journalistactivist Gauri Lankesh shot dead here last yearsaw differences crop up among her siblings over the SIT probe to nab the killers and the motive behind it While Gauris sister Kavitha expressed confidence on the Special Investigation Team SITprobing the casetheir brother Indrajit said he would move the High Court for a CBI probeToday is Gauris birthday it has been almost five months nowthe investigation is like stagnant water I personally feel that politically it investigation is going as one sided Indrajit told reporters He said he had decided to move the High Court seeking a CBI investigation because he wanted a fair probe as he felt there was political pressure on the SITToday I have taken a decisionI have also spoken to our advocate Very soon I will approach the High Court requesting for a CBI probe because for five months SIT has done its job But I somewhere feel that due to political pressure they are investigating in one particular angle he said Indrajit said he had taken the decision as he wanted to ensure that the probe was carried out in all angles so that Gouris real killers were nabbed and the actual reason behind the killing known Kavitha begged to differ saying there has been good progress in the SIT probe and she trusted the agency She said SIT asked for a months time and were updating her and her mother about the progress of the probe There has been good progressThey have evidence but are taking time so that they have solid evidence to avoid any gaps I trust them she told reporters in another press meet Asked for her reaction to Indrajits comments she said I dont know what he is sayingwithout speaking to SIT officers or knowing things it is wrong to comment On the move to seek a CBI probe into the caseshe said it would only give out a wrong message as the investigation would have to start from the beginningMoreover not one of the 13 cases from Karnataka being probed by CBI had been solved yet she said When SIT has made such a progress at the time when it is ending if it goes to CBI they will start from the beginning Both siblings also differed about observing the day as Gauri Day organized here to commemorate her 56th birthday The function was attended by Gujarat MLA Jignesh Mevani actor Prakash Raj JNU students leaders Kanhaiya Kumar Shehla Rashid and Umar Khalid among others While Indrajit termed the event which he did not attend as one sponsored by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah Kavitha said it was organised by Gauri Memorial Trust and government had nothing to do with it Indrajit said it was time society questioned Siddaramaiah and the Congress government about the culprits after five months I dont think I will get justice there he saidTo thisKavitha said the event was organised by the trust and money that came in as donations has been accounted for Anyone can check the account it is open Nothing from the government my sister always opposed any favour from the government she said The trust was formed in December 2017 in memory of Gauri Lankesh with an intention help launch a publication akin to her eponymous tabloid and to promote development and investigative journalism Gauri Lankesh known to be an antiestablishment voice with strident antiright wing views was shot dead by unknown assailants at her home here on the night of September 5 2017 The killing led to national outrage and protests by many groups over rising intolerance in the country and attempts to muzzle dissent with the criticism targeted at the Modi government and right wing groupsState Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy had in November last year said the killers would 100 per cent be nabbed in a few weeks even as he claimed that SIT had clues about the assailants but those could not be disclosed at the moment The state government has announced Rs 10 lakh reward for anyone giving clues about perpetrators of the crime SIT had in October released sketches of two suspects and CCTV footage in connection with the case and had sought peoples help in nabbing the accusedCatch up on all the latest Mumbai National and International news hereDownload the new midday Android and iOS apps to get updates on all the latest and trending stories on the go