Bengaluru: The SIT probing the murder of journalist and activist Gauri Lankesh has questioned a reformed Naxalite, who is lodged at the Bengaluru Central Prison at Parappana Agrahara.
Sources said that a team of officials visited the prison on Sunday and questioned Kanyakumari, a Naxal who surrendered a few years ago.
“As we are investigating several angles, including the possibility of Naxals behind the murder, we are questioning reformed Naxals, including those lodged in jails. Kanyakumari told us that she came to know about Gauri’s murder only through newspapers. She said Gauri was a very good human being, but had no idea about the Naxal involvement in the case, as she had surrendered years ago with Gauri’s help and had no links with the Naxal movement,” an official said.
Meanwhile, it is said that Gauri had held a secret meeting with Naxals just a few months ago to discuss plans of bringing more Naxals to the mainstream.
“A person close to Gauri Lankesh was questioned and the person told us that Gauri had held a meeting with Naxals in Kerala three months ago. During the meeting, some Naxals reportedly opposed her decision to let the Naxals surrender as several reformed rebels, who wanted to lead a normal life, were languishing in jails after they surrendered. But she was trying to convince them to give up arms, which did not go well with a few Naxal leaders. This angle is being probed,” the official said.
