BENGALURU: In yet another breakthrough in journalist Gauri Lankesh murder case, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) has arrested two persons, including the one who is suspected to be the bike rider, who took the suspected shooter Parashuram Waghmare to Gauri’s house on the fateful day. Both have been accused of disposing of the bike and the pistol after the murder.With their arrest, the number of arrested persons in the case has gone up to nine.
The arrested have been identified as Ganesh Miskin and Amith Ramachandra Baddi, both aged 27 years and residents of Hubballi. Miskin runs an incense stick business while Amith is a goldsmith. Both are said to be members of a right-wing group and Miskin is believed to be a close aide of Amol Kale, suspected mastermind behind the killing.
The SIT officials had picked them up on Saturday from Hubballi and brought them to the city. After a thorough interrogation, they formalised the arrested on Sunday evening. The both were produced before the 3rd Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) court on Monday and the SIT sought their police custody for 14 days, following which the court remanded them in police custody till August 6.
Earlier, Special Public Prosecutor Srisaila Vadavadagi submitted to the court that the SIT needs their custody as they have to take them to Goa, Belagavi, Mangaluru and other places as part of the probe. He also told the court that the duo has disposed of the bike and the weapon after the commission of the crime.
The SIT submitted the voluntary statement of confession of both the suspects in a sealed cover to the court. It is learnt that both have admitted to have played an active role in the killing of Gauri Lankesh. The arrest comes just four days after the SIT arrested Mohan Nayak on charges of harbouring the killers of Gauri Lankesh.
Unusual calm in area where Miskin stayed
An unusual calm prevailed around Miskin’s house in Chaitanya Nagar. The house where he lived has been locked after the arrest. Many neighbours refused to speak and shut their doors when media approached. “We don’t know much about the family. They were staying here for the last few years. The boy who is now arrested hardly used to be seen in the area. We have no relationship with them,” said a neighbour. Family members of Baddi at Tadpatri Galli refused to interact with mediapersons.