Gauri Lankesh murder: SIT extracts enlarged photo of youth on recce

Gauri Lankesh, known for her strong anti-right wing stand, was shot dead on September 5 outside her residence in Bengaluru.

A special investigation team probing the killing of noted journalist Gauri Lankesh outside her house in Bengaluru has extracted an enlarged picture of a motorcycle-riding youth, who is suspected to have conducted a recce of the area before the incident.

Members of the National Human Rights and Crime Control Organisation light candles in Amritsar to condemn the killing of journalist Gauri Lankesh. (PTI)

A police officer, who is part of the team, confirmed that the picture had been extracted from one of the two video clips they had obtained from a CCTV camera.

Police took the assistance of a forensic science laboratory abroad to stretch the picture. The face of the suspect was not clear because he was wearing a helmet, the officer said.

The SIT has already released three sketches of two suspects, made based on eyewitness accounts.

Member of the special investigation team probing the Gauri Lankesh murder release sketches of suspects at a press conference in Bengaluru on October 14. (HT Photo)

Gauri Lankesh, known for her strong anti-right wing stand, was shot dead on September 5 evening outside her residence in the city. The incident triggered widespread outrage, leading to protest rallies across the country.

The Karnataka government formed a 21-member SIT, led by inspector general of Police BK Singh, to investigate the case.