Gauri Lankesh Murder case: SIT quizzes Sri Rama Sena Vijayapura district chief on Waghmare

BENGALURU:The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Gauri Lankesh murder case, on Saturday interrogated Rakesh Mutt, the Vijayapura district unit president of Sri Rama Sena, to gather details about Parashuram Waghmare, who is the suspected shooter.

A senior police officer said that Rakesh was issued a notice to appear before the SIT on Saturday. During interrogation — which lasted around four hours — he was questioned about his links with Waghmare and his statement was recorded.

The SIT suspects that Rakesh knew details about Waghmare’s movements for the last few months as he was also an active member of Hindu organisations and had attended events together organised by the Sena in the district.

The official said that during questioning, Rakesh revealed that Waghmare had links with many people who are said to be a part of a gang.“Soon after Waghmare’s arrest, Rakesh had posted Waghmare’s photo on social media sites to raise funds for Waghmare’s family and shared bank details to raise money from the public. He had also said that Waghmare’s parents are struggling a lot to lead their lives as their only bread winner was nabbed,” officer said.

“Rakesh said he knew Waghmare had undergone arms training in Maharashtra and Belagavi. Rakesh was one of the accused in the 2012 Pakistan flag-hoisting incident at the Sindhagi tahsildhar’s office in Vijayapura district along with Waghmare, to foment communal violence,” the officer said.