Gauri Lankesh killing: SIT denies reports linking Sadhvi Pragya
Bengaluru: The special investigation team probing the journalist-activist Gauri Lankesh murder case Thursday denied a media report about BJP MP candidate from Bhopal Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur's involvement in the crime.
An English daily Thursday reported that there was a possibility of the Sadhvi's link with the murder.
The SIT issued an official statement, saying it did not find her involvement at any stage of investigation nor find her name mentioned in the charge sheet.
"SIT has not found in its investigation or mentioned in the charge sheet any link to Sadhvi Pragya, Malegaon blasts, Abhinav Bharat. There is no evidence to suggest the same. No documents purporting the same have been submitted to the Hon'ble Court," the statement read.
The SIT has so far arrested 16 people while two are still at large in connection with the murder of Gauri Lankesh, who was shot dead outside her house in Bengaluru on September 5, 2017.
The SIT has accused a gang of Right wing members, who were inspired by a book brought out by Sanatan Sanstha, for the murder.
The Supreme Court had in February this year ordered that the SIT should also investigate the murder of M M Kalburgi, who was killed in August, 2015.
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Bengal: Hours after killing of Suvendu's aide, cops say 5 BJP workers injured in bomb attack
Kolkata (PTI): Five BJP supporters have been injured allegedly in a bomb blast in Panihati in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district, police said on Thursday.
The incident occurred late on Wednesday night, hours after Chandranath Rath, a close aide of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, was shot dead by motorcycle-borne assailants, which led to the saffron camp accusing the TMC of unleashing retaliatory violence.
The bomb blast occurred near St Xavier's Institution in Panihati. Unidentified assailants hurled crude bombs at a group of BJP workers, injuring at least five people, police said, adding the injured were admitted to the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.
According to local sources, BJP workers were interacting with residents on Dutta Road in Panihati's Ward number 2 when a group of motorcycle-borne persons allegedly targeted them with bombs before fleeing.
The BJP alleged that the attackers were backed by the ruling Trinamool Congress, an allegation denied by the Mamata Banerjee-led party.
A senior police official said, "We have started an investigation and are examining CCTV footage from the surrounding areas to identify those involved. Raids are being conducted to nab the accused."
A heavy police deployment has been made in the area.
"We are maintaining strict vigil and appealing to people not to spread rumours. Necessary steps are being taken to maintain peace," the officer added.
Incidentally, the area where the blast occurred is located near the residence of newly elected BJP MLA Ratna Debnath, the mother of the RG Kar Hospital rape victim.
