Bengaluru,
Even as the IG-headed SIT today studied the CCTV footage of the scene of murder of journalist-activist Gauri Lankesh for any clue to the killers, the family, pleading against giving a political colour to the incident, appeared divided on who should handle the probe. It sought that all angles be examined, whether it was the extreme right wing or the Naxals.

“What we want is justice and please don’t add political colour to it, add ideological colour if you want, because she stood for her ideology,” he said. In an audacious attack, 55-year-old Gauri, known as an anti-establishment voice with acrid anti-right wing views, was shot dead by unidentified assailants at her home here on September 5.

As the SIT began its probe, there seemed to be differences within the family on whether the case should be handed over to the CBI.

While Indrajit favoured a CBI probe, Kavitha said the SIT should be given time. “We don’t know how far it will go, but the family has decided let this (SIT) be there for now… If we don’t get justice, I will submit a memorandum to the CBI or a retired judge (for inquiry).

“Gauri’s murder should become a landmark so that no one indulges in such a crime in future to silence a voice or an ideology or the firebrand journalism that she practised,” said Indrajit. Asked if they would ask for a CBI probe if the SIT failed to deliver, Kavitha replied wryly: “It has become a fashion to yell CBI, CBI.”

Intervening at once, Indrajit said, “According to me, it’s not a fashion… The family will cooperate with SIT. If we don’t get justice, I personally — I have not spoken to my sister (Kavitha) or mother about it — will go to the CBI.” Pressed to clarify, he remarked, “At the end of it, it is not about going to the CBI or a special judge or SIT, it is about getting justice. For that I’m ready to do anything and my family too is with me. We are all together for getting justice for Gauri.”

On whether the family believed that her fearless journalism and open expression of the ideology that she believed in was the reason for her killing, Kavitha answered: “Yes, according to me, that is the main reason.” But Indrajit emphasised that Gauri had only ideological, not personal, enemies and was even cordial to her ideological opponents.