‘Bangera destroyed gun used to kill Gauri’

Rajesh D Bangera, arrested on Monday in the Gauri Lankesh murder case, owns two licensed guns and had imparted firearm training to people linked to Hindu outfit.

Police learnt that Bangera, arrested from Madikere, is married and has two children. With his arrest, the number of accused in Gauri Lankesh murder has touched 10.

Special Public Prosecutor S V Vadavadagi told the III ACMM court that Bangera’s role was confirmed in the murder and is the owner of two licensed guns and he gave arms training to many members of Hindu outfits. He gave firearm training in the forests of Kodagu, Dakshina Kannada, Belagavi, Vijayapura, Maharashtra and Goa.

The SIT has taken his custody for 13 days to visit these places and conduct mahazar. He had taken gun license for self defence but used them for illegal purposes, SIT sources said.

Supplied cartridges

Further probes revealed that Bangera had supplied 20 cartridges to Hindu organisations as he had a licensed gun.

It was alleged that he trained several persons in firing of guns including Parashuram Waghmore, who allegedly shot Gauri, and Ganesh Miskin, who roamed around the
state on the bike and across Maharashtra for the past two years.

The diary found with Amole Kale revealed that the accused had decided to kill 37 rationalists in Karnataka and the neighbouring states. Since Bangera had licensed guns, he trained five people in the forests including Waghmore and Miskin.

In Kale’s diary, Bangera is referred to as ‘Sir’ and Kale use to pick people and send them to Bangera for firearm training, SIT sources revealed.

Bangera was actively involved with Hindu outfits in Mangaluru, which led him to Kale in Maharashtra. At first, they spoke about philosophical issues and, as their friendship grew closer, they discussed about those who spoke against their beliefs and plotted to eliminate them, SIT sources said.

SIT said Bangera had destroyed one of the licensed guns in his possession, which they suspect to be the murder weapon used to kill Gauri Lankesh.

SIT sources further added that Bangera had close contacts with Mohan Naik, arrested recently in the case, and purchased bullets from him. He also introduced Naik to Kale saying he is trustworthy.