Bangalore: P Krishnamurthy, an advocate representing the five accused in the Gauri Lankesh murder case, has lodged an application in a Bengaluru court, seeking police protection due to a recent alarming incident. This decision came after his car was targeted in a shooting event, raising serious concerns for his safety. Based in Madikeri, Krishnamurthy expressed fear for his well-being, citing the shooting as the main reason behind his request for security.
The shooting incident occurred on the late evening of April 13, when Krishnamurthy was on his way home after attending a meeting with VHP Bajrang Dal members in Kushalanagar. According to his account, he heard a gunshot while driving and discovered a bullet had pierced the right rear window of his car. Upon closer inspection, he found damage to the car door and shattered glass on the seat, leading him to believe that it was a deliberate attempt on his life.
In response to the incident, the Madikeri rural police filed a case of attempted murder and the use of firearms. A forensic examination revealed that a .22 rifle was used in the shooting, with the bullet striking the inside of the front left door. The police are currently working to determine the position of the shooter at the time of the attack.
The connection between Advocate Krishnamurthy and the accused in the Gauri Lankesh murder case has raised serious safety concerns, prompting him to seek police protection through the legal process. The five individuals he is representing, namely Amol Kale, Ganesh Miskin, Amit Degwekar, Rajesh Bangera, and Sharad Kalaskar, are the primary suspects in the high-profile murder case of Gauri Lankesh.
In response to Krishnamurthy’s request, the court has requested a report from the Kodagu District Superintendent of Police to evaluate the necessity of providing security to the lawyer. Additionally, activists from the Hindu Jana Jagruti Samiti have approached the Karnataka Police Headquarters, urging a thorough investigation into the matter. In a social media post, the Karnataka unit of the committee called for a probe into the possible involvement of the Popular Front of India (PFI) and Naxalites in the attempted shooting incident.
However, as of now, Police Superintendent K Ramarajan has stated that he has not received any official notice from the Bengaluru court concerning Krishnamurthy’s request for police protection. The situation remains under scrutiny as authorities look into the matter and assess the potential risks to the advocate’s safety.
