Indian journalist Gauri Lankesh shot dead in Bangalore

International Desk: A prominent Indian journalist critical of Hindu nationalist politics has been shot dead in the south-western state of Karnataka, police say.

Gauri Lankesh, 55, was found lying in a pool of blood outside her home in the city of Bangalore.

She was shot in the head and chest by gunmen who arrived by motorcycle. The motive for the crime was not clear.

India journalists are being increasingly targeted by radical Hindu nationalists, activists say.
Gauri Lankesh, who edited a weekly newspaper, was known as a fearless and outspoken journalist.

She had returned home in her car on Tuesday night and was opening the gate when the attackers shot her, police said. She died on the spot.

Officials said they suspected she had been under surveillance by the gunmen. An investigation has been opened.

Her death has been widely condemned, with Karnataka state's chief minister Siddaramaiah calling it an "assassination on democracy".

Ms Lankesh came from a well-known family, and edited Lankesh Patrike, a newspaper founded by her father P Lankesh, a left-wing poet and writer.

She was the sister of award-winning filmmaker Kavitha Lankesh.

Ms Lankesh was convicted of defamation in 2016 for a report she published on local BJP leaders.

She was sentenced to six months in jail, and was out on bail and appealing the conviction at the time of her death.

Source: Agencies



risingbd/Sept 6, 2017/Mukul