4 years after Gauri Lankesh murder, trial set to begin on May 27

The trial in journalist Gauri Lankesh’s murder case is set to start on May 27, prosecution lawyer S Balan told Press Trust of India. Balan said the trial was delayed due to multiple petitions filed after the accused engaged more than 60 lawyers.

Lankesh, who was the editor of Kannada weekly Lankesh Patrike, was shot dead by two men on a motorcycle outside her residence on September 5, 2017. The case will be heard by a special court for Karnataka Control of Organised Crimes Act 2000, Times of India reported.

Special judge Anil Bheemanna Katti issued summons to the journalist’s sister Kavita Lankesh and the case informant. Balan said, “Besides notice to Kavita Lankesh, prison officials, where the accused are lodged, have been directed to produce the accused physically or through video conference.”

A special investigation team which was formed to probe the murder had arrested 17 people, including prime accused Amol Kale and Parashuram Wagmore.

According to TOI, in November 2021, the accused were charged under sections 302, 114, 120B and 35 of the Indian Penal Code, besides sections under the Arms Act and the KCOCA.