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Karnataka Government Initiates Special Courts For Kalburgi And Lankesh Murder Trials

The Karnataka Congress government, led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, takes proactive steps by establishing special courts to expedite the trials related to the murders of renowned Kannada writer MM Kalburgi and journalist Gauri Lankesh.

Outlook Web Desk

Updated on: 7 December 2023 5:33 am

Slain rationalists Gauri Lankesh, MM Kalburgi

The Karnataka Congress government, under Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, is initiating the establishment of special courts for the trials related to the killings of esteemed Kannada writer MM Kalburgi and journalist Gauri Lankesh. Directing officials to expedite the creation of these specialized courts, the Chief Minister responded to concerns expressed by the families of both victims regarding the protracted trial periods, according to media reports.?

Seven years after the murder of MM Kalburgi, whose case saw a chargesheet filed between 2018—19, his family, including wife Umadevi Kalburgi, has sought the setup of a special court. Similarly, in the Gauri Lankesh case, where 18 people have been arrested and a comprehensive chargesheet submitted, the Chief Minister acknowledged the need for a dedicated court due to the gradual progress of the trial. Both Kalburgi and Lankesh fell victim to the same right-wing extremist group, as revealed by police investigations.

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) charged six individuals associated with a radical right-wing Hindutva group for the Kalburgi murder, linking them to the Gauri Lankesh case as well. In the latter, 17 individuals from right-wing fringe groups are facing trial. Remarkably, forensic analysis uncovered identical ballistic evidence connecting the murders of Kalburgi and Lankesh, with parallels extending to the shootings of Govind Pansare and Narendra Dabholkar in Maharashtra.

The SIT asserted that the accused adhered to the principles outlined in 'Kshatra Dharma Sadhana,' a publication by the Sanatan Sanstha, systematically targeting individuals perceived as adversaries to their beliefs.