Senior journalist Gauri Lankesh shot dead at her Bengaluru residence

Bengaluru: Gauri Lankesh, senior journalist and editor of the Bengaluru tabloid Gauri Lankesh Patrike, was shot dead at her home in Raja Rajeshwari Nagar on Tuesday night by unidentified assailants, a Bengaluru police official said.

Lankesh’s body was found on the verandah of her house, the official said.

Lankesh, 55, known for her anti-establishment views, was convicted by a court in Hubbali on defamation charges over a 2008 article against several Bharaiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders.

Member of Parliament from Dharwad, Prahlad Joshi and BJP leader Umesh Dushi filed individual defamation cases against Lankesh, The Hindu reported 28 November last year.

Lankesh’s assassination was strongly condemned by senior state leaders, led by chief minister Siddaramaiah.

“This is shocking news. Have been informed by the police that she was shot around 8PM near her gate. No one with humanity can do this act. She believed in secular thinking and fought against injustice everywhere. She was a journalist, thinker and literary personality. She is the daughter of P. Lankesh (founder of Lankesh Patrike). I have known her for many years, from the time of her father. “

“A great loss to the community of independent journalism. Lost a dear friend, an accomplished journalist and a wonderful human being. Miscreants will be brought to book very soon,” G. Parameshwara, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee chief and former home minister said.