Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Sep 21: The special investigation team(SIT) formed to look into Gauri Lankesh's killing continued to record statements of people who had filed defamation suits against her. On Wednesday, statements of well-known astrologer, Dwarakanath, who happens to be the spiritual guide of minister, D K Shivakumar, and president of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, T A Narayan Gowda, were recorded.

It is learnt that during the sessions, both  said that they had filed defamation cases against Gauri as she had published derogatory articles about them in her publication. Both told the  investigators that personally they did not have any problem with the journalist and that they do not have anything to do with her murder.

Karnataka Rakshana Vedike had approached the court after Gauri published a report containing serious allegations against the Vedike. The Vedike held protest in front of the publication's office and filed defamation suit. The fight had been allowed to cool down at the suggestions of senior journalists and the court case was also not pursued with  zeal, it is learnt.

In the meanwhile, the SIT has distributed pamphlets in and around Rajarajeshwari Nagar area, seeking information about guests, hirers and other people who had stayed in houses, hotels, lodges, hostels,  temples, accommodations provided by temples, guests etc who vacated their places of stay after September 5. Without mentioning the murder of Gauri, the   team has sought through the said pamphlet, help from people in collecting these details and asked them to contact Rajarajeshwari Nagar police station to provide these details.

Home minister, Ramalinga Reddy, said that neither him not the governent have been interfering in the matter of investigation by SIT. He expressed the confidence of arresting the culprits soon.