3.09 pm IST: Prakash Javadekar on Gauri Lankesh murder
Want immediate investigation into #GauriLankeshMurder, culprits should be caught: Prakash Javadekar, in-charge of BJP affairs in Karnataka pic.twitter.com/mPLWTRxnqF
— ANI (@ANI) September 6, 2017
2.41 pm IST: The US has condemned the killing of Gauri Lankesh.
"The U.S. Mission in India joins advocates of press freedom in India and world-wide in condemning the murder of respected journalist Gauri Lankesh in Bengaluru. We offer our sincere condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Ms. Lankesh," the embassy said in a release
2.39 pm IST: Prakash Raj comforts Gauri Lankesh's mother
#WhoKilledGauri Noted actor Prakash Raj comforts the grieving mother of Gauri Lankesh in Bengaluru.
— News18 (@CNNnews18) September 6, 2017
LIVE BLOG: https://t.co/caCmg9eVtD pic.twitter.com/EbF9BKf7HW
1.59 pm IST: Tight security at Chamrajpet cemetary. Hundreds expected to turn up for funeral
1.51 pm: Lankesh's body will be kept at Ravindra Kalakshethra until 5 pm, after which it will be taken to Chamrajpet cemetery for funeral, reported Bangalore Mirror.
1.47 pm IST: Dr. Shankar Prasad, Sampoorna Swaraj Foundation speaking about Gauri Lankesh at Town Hall Bengaluru
Dr. Shankar Prasad, Sampoorna Swaraj Foundation speaking about #GauriLankesh at #TownHallBengaluru#Bengaluru #Bangalore pic.twitter.com/hb6lNCVwh7
— Danish Manzoor (@ReachDanish) September 6, 2017
1.45 pm IST: Mamata Banerjee on Lankesh's murder
I condemn the killing of journalist #GaurilLankesh: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata pic.twitter.com/2dbhNbwOTi
— ANI (@ANI) September 6, 2017
1.39 pm IST: Siddaramaiah pays last respect to the mortal remains of Gauri Lankesh
1.38 pm IST: Siddaramaiah reaches Ravindra Kalakshethra.
Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah arrives at Ravindra Kala Kshethra where mortal remains of #GauriLankesh are kept pic.twitter.com/GQxD88kPWr
— ANI (@ANI) September 6, 2017
1.32 pm IST: Family members and friends gather at Ravindra Kalakshethra.
Bengaluru: Family members & friends gather as mortal remains of #GauriLankesh were brought to Ravindra Kala Kshethra. pic.twitter.com/WYzFJKIXvv
— ANI (@ANI) September 6, 2017
1.26 pm IST: Public TV, citing a police department insider, said that two suspects have been traced from Lankesh's call details.
Officials are collecting evidence; will have to wait for sometime: Karnataka Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy on murder of #GauriLankesh pic.twitter.com/jQZr1IxluP
— ANI (@ANI) September 6, 2017
1.24 pm IST: Home Minister Rajnath Singh has asked Home Secretary to seek a report on the murder of Gauri Lankesh from the Karnataka government.
WATCH: It’s a big shock for us & it's unfortunate that such a thing has happened: Shankar Prasad on #GauriLankeshMurder pic.twitter.com/PcfGSBIK35
— IBTimes India (@ibtimes_india) September 6, 2017
1.16 pm IST: She was a fearless journalist and activist; she stood by her words and acts: Gauri Lankesh's friend
WATCH: She was fearless journalist & activist; she stood by her words & acts: #GauriLankesh's friend
— IBTimes India (@ibtimes_india) September 6, 2017
Read: https://t.co/07Hrj4Ph46 pic.twitter.com/65OrsE70sX
1.06 pm IST: Lankesh's mortal remains brought to Ravindra Kalakshethra
1.05 pm IST: Karnataka CM meets top officials
Bengaluru: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah chairs meeting with top Police officials of the state to discuss #GauriLankesh murder case. pic.twitter.com/LneImCgCFB
— ANI (@ANI) September 6, 2017
1.00 pm IST: "The bone-chilling murder of journalist Gauri Lankesh is a grim reminder of India's reality where if you disagree, you will be brutally attacked," tweeted Congress leader Randeep Surjewala. "Gauri Lankesh's murder indicates that those living in castles will not tolerate dissent."
12.58 pm IST: The murderers had been following Gauri Lankesh for the past few days, says Kannada news channel Public TV. It said that the first attempt to kill the journalist was made on September 2.
She has been receiving blank calls and the police reportedly told the channel that a white car was seen driving around in front of her house. The channel also claimed that one of the attackers was waiting in the courtyard, whereas three others had followed Lankesh's car.
Also read: Protests to be held across India today as politicians, journalists condemn killing
12.47 pm IST: Mortal remains of Gauri Lankesh being taken to Ravindra Kala Kshethra
Bengaluru: Mortal remains of #GauriLankesh being taken to Ravindra Kala Kshethra pic.twitter.com/MpYcL8JnqM
— ANI (@ANI) September 6, 2017
12.45 pm IST: Protests at town hall
WATCH: Protest at town hall, #Bengaluru against killing of journalist #GauriLankesh #GauriLankeshMurder
— IBTimes India (@ibtimes_india) September 6, 2017
Read: https://t.co/07Hrj4Ph46 pic.twitter.com/3Pe6bBxiQD
12.43 pm IST: Nitin Gadkari hits back at Rahul Gandhi's "baseless allegations."
Baseless allegation we have nothing to with #GauriLankeshMurder, onus to maintain law&order is on state govt, that is Cong: N.Gadkari on RG pic.twitter.com/Vhrp1itDn4
— ANI (@ANI) September 6, 2017
It is shameful because PM is of the country, he does not belong to any party: Nitin Gadkari on Rahul Gandhi remarks about PM #GauriLankesh pic.twitter.com/WNlcEoBrcV
— ANI (@ANI) September 6, 2017
12.39 pm IST: He also said that one of the attackers was wearing a helmet.
Instructed case must be taken seriously & be investigated by special team. Constituted SIT headed by senior officer: K'taka CM #GauriLankesh pic.twitter.com/of5lVBKg4e
— ANI (@ANI) September 6, 2017
12.38 pm IST: "We will find her killers. The police has set up roadblocks at various places. Checkpoints around Bengaluru are being monitored," Siddaramaiah noted.
CM Siddaramiah has ordered an SIT (Speacial Investigation Team) lead by IG level officer to complete the murder investigation
12.30 pm IST: "2 people posted something on Facebook and we are questioning them," he added.
I cannot say yet if it was a part of a conspiracy: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah #GauriLankesh pic.twitter.com/EzLg8uLP5d
— ANI (@ANI) September 6, 2017
12.30 pm IST: When asked if the case would be handed over to the CBI he said: "I left it to DGP who will speak to the home minister and decide on it."
12.26 pm IST: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah talks about the murder. He also said that he recently met Lankesh, but she did not speak to him about any threat.
Left it to DGP who will speak to Home Minister and decide on it: Karnataka CM on question of handing over case to CBI #GauriLankesh pic.twitter.com/WpGaSod7iE
— ANI (@ANI) September 6, 2017
Instructed Police that activists propagating progressive thoughts should be given Police protection: Karnataka CM #GauriLankesh pic.twitter.com/bphWl8KecQ
— ANI (@ANI) September 6, 2017
Similar weapons used in Kalburgi, Pansare & Dabholkar killings, in this case we don't know yet so can't draw link-Karnataka CM #GauriLankesh
— ANI (@ANI) September 6, 2017
12.20 pm IST: Students of Bangalore University have boycotted classes to join the protest.
More students are pouring in to register their protest.#GauriLankeshlives #Bengaluru #TownHallBengaluru pic.twitter.com/bAhvgDOCg5
— Danish Manzoor (@ReachDanish) September 6, 2017
12.15 pm IST: Puducherry Journalists' Association has condemned the murder, calling it "beastly and highly condemnable," reported News18.
12.14 pm IST: Massive protests against Gauri Lankesh's murder in Bengaluru
12.11 pm IST: BJP demands CBI probe. Speaking at a press conference, BJP leader Ananth Kumar said: "The probe conducted by the state (Karnataka) is not reliable."
12.04 pm IST: Karnataka Police has detained a suspect, says Times Now
12.03 pm IST: Bengaluru fumes over Lankesh's murder
12.03 pm IST: Kanhaiya Kumar condoles Lankesh's killing
Deeply shocked and saddened at the cowardly murder of #GauriLakesh! She was like a mother to me. She will always be alive in my heart. pic.twitter.com/6x4u5UaXqt
— Kanhaiya Kumar (@kanhaiyajnusu) September 5, 2017
#GauriLankesh taught me to speak truth to power. She was fearless in her fight against hate. We resolve to carry on her struggle. pic.twitter.com/SnbZ0RnFkS
— Kanhaiya Kumar (@kanhaiyajnusu) September 5, 2017
12.03 pm IST: Rahul Gandhi on Gauri Lankesh murder
Spoke to CM (of Karnataka) & mentioned that people who did this must be caught & punished: Rahul Gandhi #GauriLankesh pic.twitter.com/CNH2u1U84i
— ANI (@ANI) September 6, 2017
Anybody who speaks against ideology of BJP-RSS is pressured, beaten, attacked and even killed: Rahul Gandhi #GauriLankesh pic.twitter.com/V2h7vnXClk
— ANI (@ANI) September 6, 2017
PM is a skilled Hindutva politician. Unke shabdo mein 2 meanings hote hain. Unke base ke liye ek hota hai, baaki duniya ke liye alag: RG pic.twitter.com/Hy4dCp50J7
— ANI (@ANI) September 6, 2017
12.00 noon IST: Citizens rally in Double Road, Bengaluru, in protest
11.58 am IST: Mumbai journalist organisations will hold a candlelight vigil to condemn the murder.
Social activist K Neela on Gauri Lankesh murder
11.50 am IST: Varun Gandhi has condemned Lankesh's murder
This message reminds me of the irony that a woman of scholarship & courage was assassinated on Teacher's Day. RIP #GauriLankesh pic.twitter.com/RX2cgrylsi
— Varun Gandhi (@varungandhi80) September 6, 2017
11. 48 am IST: Karnataka Home Minister is set to address a press conference at 12 pm, reported News18.
11.45 am IST: Police have acquired the CCTV footage, which shows that the journalist getting out of her car at 7.56 pm to open the gates. Two shots were fired then, after which she tried to run inside. However, she collapsed on the ground and three more shots can be heard. Two bullets pierced her chest, while another one hit her forehead.
On the other hand, A guy named Arjun had posted a comment on facebook glorying this act. The two teams of CCB found his address and reached Chikkamangalore, where he hails from. They have already started interrogating him.
11.35 am IST: Her brother has spoken out on the murder and requested a CBI probe
Her dream was to donate eyes. In this moment of pain a little relief I've found as a patient got eyesight: Indrajit, #GauriLankesh's brother pic.twitter.com/2nRQJBr5zV
— ANI (@ANI) September 6, 2017
Request CBI probe. We've seen Kalburgi issue that state investigated & with sadness I say they've not done anything: #GauriLankesh's brother pic.twitter.com/YaVVFzREZb
— ANI (@ANI) September 6, 2017
11.30 am IST: Protests in Bengaluru against Lankesh's killing
Karnataka: Protest at Town Hall in Bengaluru against killing of senior journalist #GauriLankesh pic.twitter.com/MrE0POZvBw
— ANI (@ANI) September 6, 2017
After journalist-activist Gauri Lankesh was shot dead at her home in Bengaluru on Tuesday, September 5, the city has been put on high alert and Police Commissioner T Suneel Kumar has reportedly asked all DCPs to carry out nakabandi across the city.
Additionally, check posts have been erected on all the main roads and police have been deployed at toll gates in Nelamangala, Hosur Road and NICE Road. All the vehicles entering and exiting the city are reportedly being thoroughly checked.
"Three special teams set up to crack the case are on the lookout for the suspected assailants. We are taking the movements of people and vehicles at check posts and inter-state borders," the Times of India quoted Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) M.N. Anucheth as saying.
Not just in Bengaluru, the police forces in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, as well as, Andhra Pradesh have been alerted and they will also keep an eye on vehicles in the states, Anucheth explained.
The 55-year-old editor was returning home from work on Tuesday and had stepped out of her car to open the gates when she was shot seven times. Four bullets are said to have hit Lankesh and neighbours found her lying on the porch around 8 pm.
"A total of seven bullets were fired out of which four missed the target and hit the wall of the house. Three bullets had hit her -- two in her chest area and one in the forehead," Suneel Kumar told IANS. The police are said to have found four empty cartridges on the porch and are also examining the CCTV footage.
Meanwhile, it is also being said that the murder could have been carried out by hired killers, though the details are still murky, reported NDTV. It is also unclear whether the attackers followed her when she drove home or were hiding near her house and waited for her return.
While flash protests against Lankesh's blood-curdling murder were held at the Corporation Circle in Bengaluru, Dharwad, and Gadag after reports of the killing trickled in, numerous other cities in the country are set to witness protest meets today, September 6.
Protests were held at Naik Bhawan in Bengaluru at 8.45 am and MM Kalburgi's residence in Dharwad at 10 am today. Press clubs in Delhi and Chennai have also scheduled protest meets at 11 am.
The cities of Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Pune, and Mangalore will witness meets at 4 pm, while Mumbai will come together for the purpose at 6 pm.