Journalist Gauri Lankesh shot dead outside home

Assailants pumped 4 bullets at point-blank range

Senior journalist and activist Gauri Lankesh (55) was shot dead in front of her house at Rajarajeshwari Nagar on Tuesday evening.

According to the police, Gauri left her office - Gauri Lankesh Patrike - at Gandhi Bazar around 7 pm. She reached her home around 7.45 pm.

As she was about to open the main door, three assailants called her. As she stepped out, they pumped four bullets from point-blank range. The bullets pierced her abdomen and chest.

Neighbours rushed out on hearing gunshots and Gauri's screams and called an ambulance.

"The house is located in a secluded area near Ideal Homes in Rajarajeshwarinagar. There was no immediate help after the attack," said Shivasundar, Gauri's close aide.

Police Commissioner T Suneel Kumar said it is yet to be ascertained whether the assailants were following Gauri or waiting near her residence.

"Four cartridges have been found at the spot. There are two CCTV cameras at the house and the footage will be examined after forensic officials inspect the spot. Three teams have been formed to nab the assailants, including one headed by joint commissioner (crime). We are also checking other CCTV cameras in the area," Kumar said.

Gauri's death comes two years after rationalists M M Kalburgi and CPI leader Govind Pansare were shot dead.

Also, in 2013, anti-superstition activist Narendra Dabholkar was shot dead by two youth near Pune.

The police said that the modus operandi in Gauri's murder is similar to that of Kalburgi case.

Gauri is the eldest daughter of Kannada poet-turned-journalist P Lankesh. Gauri was known for her writings against the RSS and the BJP.

She had also spearheaded a pro-Maoist movement in the state. Gauri was instrumental in facilitating the surrender of Maoists who wanted to return to the mainstream.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said, "Soon after the police submit a preliminary report, we will determine the nature of the probe.”

The chief minister clarified that Gauri had not sought police protection and that there were no intelligence reports indicating a threat to her life.

After visiting the spot, Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy said, "She (Gauri) was staying alone and her mother was with her sister Kavitha in Uttarahalli. The officials told me that she met DGP R K Dutta three times. However, she never shared any information about a threat to her life. In fact, she called me on Saturday and said that she would meet on Monday. But she did not turn up,'' Reddy said.

The body was shifted to the Victoria Hospital for postmortem. A family member said the funeral would be held on Wednesday.