Gauri Lankesh Murder Trial To Commence From May 27, Sister Kavitha Lankesh To Be First Prosecution Witness

The Prl. City Civil and Sessions Judge has issued summons to Kavitha and posted the matter for recording evidence on May 27. The court in its order also directed Mumbai and Pune prisons to produce accused persons (A-3, 4, 9, 10, 12 and 16) through Video Conferencing.

Accused no. 1, Amola Khale, is reported to have been taken to Dharwad Prison for attending court in Dharwad. He is directed to be produced through VC on the next date.

On October 30, 2021 the court had framed charges against 18 accused alleged to be involved in the murder case. The accused persons after having understood the same pleaded not guilty and claim to be tried.

The accused charged are Amola Khale, Parashuram Ashok Wagmore, Ganesh Miskin, Amith Ramachandra Baddi, Amit Degwekar, Bhaarat Kurane, Suresh H L Alias Teacher, Rajesh D Bangera Alias Sir, Sudhanva Gondalekar Alias Pandejee Alias Oandey Alias Gujjar Alias Mahesh Patil, Sharad Alias Sharad Bahusahib Kalaskar Alias Chotu, N Mohan Nayak Alias Sampanje, Vasudev Bhagwan Suryavanashi Alias Vasu Alias Mechanic, Sujith Kumar Alias Sujith S R Alias Sanjay Alias Manjunath, Manohar Dundeeppa Yadave Alias Manohar Yadeve Alias Manoj, Vikas Pateil Alias Dada Alias Nihal, Srikanth Jaganath Pangarkar Alias Prajee, K T Naveen Kumar Alias Naveen and Rushikesh Devadekar Alias Murali Alias Shiva.

The accused have been charged under section 302, 120B, 114, 118, 109, 201, 203, 204, 35 of the Indian Penal code. Section 25 (1), 25 (1B), 27 (1) of the Arms Act and Sections 3(1) (i), 3(2), 3(3), 3(4) of the Karnataka Organised Crime Act.

The murder took place on September 5, 2017. 18 persons were arrested thereafter. The first charge-sheet in the case was filed against Naveen Kumar on May 30. On November 23, 2018, the SIT submitted an additional 9,235-page chargesheet in the Principal Civil and Sessions court. The second chargesheet named 18 people as accused in the murder.

On October 21, Supreme Court restored the charges under Karnataka Control of Organised Crimes Act (KCOCA) against accused Mohan Nayak, allowing an appeal filed by Gauri Lankesh's sister Kavita Lankesh. The court set aside the judgement of the Karnataka High Court which had quashed the KCOCA charges against Mohan Nayak.

Case Title: Raja Rajeshwari Nagara PS Versus Amola Khale

Case No: SPL.C 872/2018