SIT seizes van used in Gauri murder

The Special Investigation Team probing the murder of senior journalist Gauri Lankesh has seized a Maruti Omni van allegedly used at the time of plotting the journalist's death.

However, the team is yet to recover the bike used by the shooter and the accused rider, who committed the crime in Rajarajeshwari Nagar on September 5, 2017.

SIT sources said Ganesh Miskin — the rider of the bike — rushed to the NICE Road underpass soon after accused Parashuram Waghmore shot Gauri. Miskin met suspects Amit Baddi and Bharath Kurne, waiting with the Omni van there. The duo then changed their clothes, shoes and helmets and left towards Kumbalgodu to an acupuncture clinic owned by Mohan Naik, one of the accused.

The SIT team seized the van from Belagavi and learnt that the bike belonged to Maharashtra. They are still searching for the vehicle.

SIT officials also said the six key players in the crime — including Amol Kale — teamed up at a land belonging to Kurne two days after Gauri's murder, where they practised their firing drills and celebrated her killing.