Gauri Lankesh Murder Case Trial To Begin On May 27; Why Did It Take So Long?

Bengaluru: More than four-and-a-half years after Gauri Lankesh was shot dead outside her residence, the trial in the case will get underway on May 27.

The journalist-turned-activist was allegedly shot dead by motorcycle-borne men on Teacher’s Day — September 5 – in 2017.

“The hearing of the case has not started yet… It will start on May 27. Her sister Kavitha Lankesh will be the first prosecution witness,” senior advocate S Balan said.

According to Balan, the commencement of trial was delayed as petitions were filed by more than 60 lawyers engaged by the accused.

The 17 accused, including alleged kingpin Amol Kale, shooter Waghmore and motorcycle rider Ganesh Miskin, will face the trial via video conferencing. Another accused is at large.

Meanwhile, Kavitha expressed her happiness that the trial was set to begin at long last.

“Till now, a hearing was going on related to bail applications. Now we are happy that the trial is beginning,” Gauri’s director-screenwriter-lyricist sister said.