Lankesh killing: SIT names Hindutva outfit in additional chargesheet, says it was a 5-year plot

The special investigation team (SIT) probing the killing of journalist-activist Gauri Lankesh has named an organised criminal syndicate inspired by the Sanatan Sanstha in its additional chargesheet filed before a court here.

In the 9,235-page chargesheet submitted before the Principal Civil and Sessions Court here Friday evening, it was also stated that the killing of Lankesh was plotted for almost five years.

A network, inspired by the literature of the Goa-based Sanatan Sanstha, had targeted Lankesh, it said.

"Sanatan Sanstha members were involved. We have named them. We have also mentioned one of its allied organisations," a top officer in the SIT told PTI here Saturday.

However, the SIT in a press release stated, "The investigation so far has revealed that all the 18 accused were active members of an organised crime syndicate. This syndicate was formed in 2010-11 under the leadership of Dr Virendra Tawade alias Bade Bhai Sahab. One former editor of the Sanatan Prabhat provided the financial support to this syndicate.

"The members of this organisation targeted persons who they identified to be inimical to their ideology and belief. The members strictly followed the guidelines and principles mentioned in the 'Kshatra Dharma Sadhana', a book published by the Sanatan Sanstha."