Bengaluru: The family of journalist Gauri Lankesh, gunned down outside her house on September 5, has said they were waiting for the culprits to be caught as soon as possible.
At a press meet here, Lankesh's family remained guarded in their response to questions about the progress of the SIT investigation.
"We are waiting and watching... and as you know the investigation is progressing, I do not want to comment on the investigation, like how it is going and its course. We are waiting for the killers to be caught as soon as possible," her brother Indrajit said.
State Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy had earlier said there was progress in the probe but details could not be shared now.
"I have repeatedly said that there is progress. I cannot share details with public or press at this juncture. Shortly, the case will be solved," Reddy told PTI.
Independent news agencies reported that five persons linked to the right-wing Sanatan Sanstha organisation, including four with Interpol red-corner notices against their names have emerged as key suspects in the case.
The suspects have been under scrutiny for their alleged involvement in a bomb blast in Madgaon in Goa in 2009.
Praveen Limkar, 34; Jayaprakash, alias, Anna, 45; Sarang Akolkar, 38; Rudra Patil, 37; and Vinay Pawar, 32; are currently missing.
Among the names, Rudra Patil, Sarang Akolkar and Vinay Pawar have been named suspects in the murder of Narendra Dabholkar, Govind Pansare and M M Kalburgi, all three, left liberals sceptical of the government.
The Karnataka government had, on September 6, announced a 21-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by IGP (Intelligence) B K Singh, to probe Lankesh's killing.
Known for her Left leanings, Lankesh was shot dead outside her Rajarajeshwarinagar residence here by unidentified assailants on September 5.
Her sister, Kavitha, expressed unhappiness over the speculative stories appearing in the media.
"There is much speculation in the press which police don't know...we don't know. They keep speculating, including targeting my brother many times, which is horrible at such a time when we are united," she said.
"...We can't say we are happy with the investigation till the killers are found but we are satisfied with the work they are doing. They are doing extensive research. They have put 150 people in the team and the footwork is a lot," she added.
The family also announced that Lankesh will be posthumously receive the Anna Politkovskaya Award this year, making her the first Indian to receive the honour.
Lankesh will share the annual award, instituted in memory of a Russian investigative reporter who was assassinated last year in Moscow, with Pakistani activist Gulalai Ismail, they said.
The award was conferred by London-based organization RAW in WAR (Reach All Women in War).
The family confirmed they have received a mail about the award.
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