Bengaluru: A special investigation team has reported that the accused in the murder of Journalist Gauri Lankesh had hired a police officer’s home and hatched the plot there itself.

Suresh Kumar, a resident of Tumkur, had hired the house belonging to an ACB Inspector in Seegehalli on Magadi Road to reside with his wife and children. After few days, he sent his family to the town and allowed Amul kale of Pune, Maharashtra’s Sujit Kumar and other accused to stay in the house. Besides, he facilitated food and other things for them.

After killing Gauri, the arrested Parshuram Waghmore and Ganesh Miskin returned to the house and picked up their belongings and vacated the home on September 06, 2017. Even Suresh also escaped.

After their arrest, Maddur’s Naveen Kumar and Parshuram Waghmore, who gave these statements in front of the SIT officials, attempted to derail the investigation by telling the officials that they did not know about the Gauri’s murder in later stages.

Officials said that the Suresh's role was found recently when Rajesh Bangera and Mohan Nayak of Madikeri and a few others were arrested and interrogated.

A police officer was unaware

The police officer had given his Seegehalli house to his relative to look after it. That relative rented it out to them. Therefore, this matter had not come to his attention. Even the accused Suresh had hired the house by telling that he wanted to reside with his family and shown his wife and children, the officials said.

Custody hearing on Monday

The court has adjourned to Monday for hearing the petition filed by SIT officials seeking the custody of accused Suresh Kumar for inquiry.

The special prosecutor for SIT argued that Suresh had provided shelter and other facilities to the accused. Therefore he needs to be detained and prosecuted. But Suresh's advocate has asked for more time to argue. The trial was held on Friday and was adjourned to Saturday.

"Suresh is likely to have concealed or destroyed the important evidence, including the weapon. He has to be taken into custody," SIT officials said.

 

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New Delhi (PTI): The Delhi Police has arrested a man and his son for allegedly murdering his 19-year-old daughter in west Delhi's Hari Nagar area, an official said on Friday.

The case first came to light on April 1 after a PCR call was received around 2 pm, alleging that a woman had been killed by her family members and her body was being taken for last rites, he said.

The accused, identified as Mohammad Maneer (55), a vegetable vendor, and his son Meraj Ali (19), were arrested in connection with the case, the officer said.

The victim had been in a relationship with a man from her native place for the past two years, which was opposed by her father, Maneer and brother Meraj, he said.

"When the girl did not end the relationship despite objections, the family killed her," the officer said.

On April 1, the police said that when their team reached the spot, they found that the woman's body was being taken for burial.

Acting on the input, the burial process was stopped over suspicion of honour killing.

"Police intercepted the family members and took possession of the body," he said.

Police said that the man who had made the PCR told them that the woman was in love with his cousin.

During the inquiry, police also interacted with the PCR caller, who said his cousin, a friend of the deceased, had informed him about the situation and suspected foul play, prompting him to alert the police control room.

The body of the woman was subsequently shifted to the mortuary of Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital for preservation and postmortem.

Police said that both the crime team and the forensic science laboratory (FSL) team were called to inspect the scene and collect evidence.

Police said that, as per the postmortem report, the cause of death was identified as smothering, indicating that the woman was suffocated.

A preliminary inquiry also revealed that the family had initiated preparations for the last rites soon after the woman's death, raising suspicion about the circumstances.

Initial investigation pointed to the family's opposition to the woman's relationship.

"The family members of the woman saw her with the man, and she was taken back home. We got to know that she was beaten up and even locked inside the house for some days," a source said.

Further investigation into the matter is underway, police added.