Gauri Lankesh laid to rest, professional killers used .35 mm pistol to kill her

Assassinated writer, editor and activist Gauri Lankesh (55), shot dead by unidentified assailants last evening at the gate of her house in Bengaluru, was laid to rest on Wednesday afternoon at the Chamarajpet cemetery.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, accompanied by Ministers Ramalinga Reddy, KR Ramesh Kumar and Umashree, laid wreath on the mortal remains as friends, family members and people she worked with sang songs to bid her a last tearful farewell. Friends and family said that no religious ritual would be performed for the feisty and outspoken journalist.

Her eyes were donated according to her wishes, informed her brother Indrajit Lankesh. Minto Ophthalmic Hospital completed the procedure. “Her dream was to donate her eyes. In this moment of pain, I've found a little relief because a patient got back eyesight because Gauri donated her eyes,” he told ANI.

Meanwhile journalists, writers and members of civil society held protest meetings across the country on Wednesday to condemn the murder. Reports from 20 cities had come by early afternoon and multiple meetings were held in some cities.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that he had an “open mind” for a probe by the CBI in the case.

Karnataka Home Minister T B Jayachandra has said a link cannot be ruled out between the murders of Lankesh and that of scholar MM Kalburgi who was shot dead two years ago when he opened his door to his killers in Dharwad, around 400 kilometres from Bengaluru.

Bengaluru police believe that the murder was well planned and executed by professionals. The major findings of the police investigation so far are :

• Two men followed Gauri's car on a bike while one waited close to her residence.
• Seven bullets were fired when she got out of her car to open the gate to her house.
• Three of those bullets hit her, killing her instantly.
• Four empty cartridges were found from the scene.
• A Honda two-wheeler is said to have been used by the assailants
• The assailants had helmets and jackets to hide their face
• Police suspect the weapon used to have been a .35 mm pistol.
• Police have sought permission to unlock the footage captured in the two CCTV cameras that the journalist had installed outside her house. Also, footage from as many as 35 security cameras installed along the stretch from her residence to Gandhi Bazar in Basavanagudi are being examined for clues.
• Usually, Gauri Lankesh left office and reached home only after 9 pm. But on Tuesday, she was early by an hour. But still the assailants managed to get her, which suggests that assailants were monitoring her movement closely.
• The location also turned out to be helpful as the road was poorly lit and has many cross roads.

A high alert has been declared in Bengaluru city since Tuesday night to apprehend suspects. Police personnel are on call to quell any law and order situation in the city.