No info regarding Sanatan Sanstha's involvement in Lankesh's murder: SIT

Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], October 14 (ANI): The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the case of killing of Gauri Lankesh on Saturday said the information that Goa-based right-wing Hindu organisation Sanstha Sanstha is involved in the killing of the journalist rests only with the media as the team does not have any such information.

In this press conference, head of SIT Inspector General of Police B.K. Singh clarified "The information that Sanatan Sanstha is involved in the killing of Gauri Lankesh rests only with the media. We do not have any such information with us".

Meanwhile, Sanatan Sanstha thanked the SIT for clarifying that it has not found any proof against them in Lankesh murder case and called for the probing team to investigate all aspects in the matter.

"At the outset, we congratulate SIT for presenting the fact without succumbing to the pressure from any quarters. Some anti-Hindu elements and few media houses were trying to connect Sanatan Sanstha in the killing of Gauri Lankesh from the very first day despite the absence of any evidence and even after the clarification made by Sanatan Sanstha," said the organisation in a press statement.

"They have purposefully tainted the image of Sanatan Sanstha in the society. Sanatan Sanstha is taking advice from lawyers so as to initiate legal action against the concerned."

"The SIT should be allowed to investigate the case of killing of Gauri Lankesh in an unbiased manner without hurling accusations on Hindu organisations. The investigation into the case of killing of Gauri Lankesh should be carried out taking into consideration all the angles such as financial scam, connection with Naxal organisations etc," the statement added.

Earlier in the day, the SIT released the sketches of the suspects in connection with the case.

The SIT further elaborated that they had investigated 200-250 people in connection with the case.

Lankesh was shot dead at her residence by few unidentified assailants on September 5.

Lankesh was the editor of the Gauri Lankesh Patrike, a tabloid described as an "anti-establishment" publication.

Following her murder, several protests, across the country and especially in prominent parts of Karnataka, took place, leading to a stricter probe into the incident. (ANI)