The Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigating the murder of journalist-activist Gauri Lankesh has detained one person in connection with the case. The accused is said to be one of 18 who allegedly killed the journalist on September 5, 2017.
Arrest from Jharkhand
Rushikesh Devdikar Murali, a 44-year-old guy, hails from Aurangabad and was primarily involved in the plot to murder, was arrested in Katras in Dhanbad district of Jharkhand. His house was being searched for further clues.
Further investigators said that the group of 18 had also prepared a list of people whom they wanted to kill. The list included noted playwright Girish Karnad and rationalist KS Bhagawan.
18 accused
The SIT said that the 18 accused in the case are active members of an organized crime cartel. According to the SIT, the members of the syndicate strictly followed the guidelines and principles mentioned in the book “Kshatradharma Sadhana”.
The agency had found that Lankesh was killed after a conspiracy was hatched by members of a right-wing group, which is also accused of killing rationalist M M Kalburgi.
Lankesh, the journalist, was shot dead on September 5, 2017, outside her house by a member of a gang that planned to kill her after being inspired by a book brought out by right-wing group Sanatan Sanstha, that had identified Lankesh as a ‘durian’ (evil person).
