Senior Indian journalist Gauri Lankesh was shot dead on Tuesday by unidentified assailants.
Gauri Lankesh, the editor of a weekly magazine known as Lankesh Patrike, known for her criticism of Hindu extremism, was shot dead at her home on Tuesday evening.
According to police, at least three suspects were involved and Lankesh was found dead on her verandah around 8pm with bullet wounds to her head and chest. Television reports said seven bullets were fired at her and three hit her.
Lankesh, 55, was the daughter of famous poet-turned-journalist P Lankesh. She was the editor of Gauri Lankesh Patrike, writing often against Sangh organisations and communal violence in the country
Last year, Gauri had courted controversy when she was found guilty in a defamation case filed by MP Prahlad Joshi and party associate Umesh Dushi in an article she had penned on January 23, 2008, alleging that certain BJP leaders were involved in a cheating case.
Karnataka Chief Minister also voiced his shock and disgust at the murder of the editor.
“Absolutely shocked to learn about the murder of renowned journalist Gauri Lankesh. I have no words to condemn this heinous crime,” he said.
Gauri Lankesh was known for her fierce criticism of Hindutva politics. The incident also drew condemnation from renowned Indian journalist Barkha Dutt.
