SIT gets facial profile of Gauri's killer done

Bengaluru, Sept 21: In a major breakthrough in the Gauri Lankesh murder case, the Special Investigating Team (SIT) has managed to get a facial profile of the assailant done and started a massive hunt for the man who killed Gauri.

The SIT, which went through 634 digital video recorders (DVRs), developed the image based on the footage from one of the CCTV cameras on the path from her office to residence. It also scrutinised CCTV camera footage from her house, which the assailant visited twice before the murder on September 5.

A senior police officer from the SIT told DH, “The video frames clearly show the assailant was on a Bajaj Pulsar, wearing a formal shirt and trousera (not black jacket as reported earlier), a white helmet without a visor, a wristband, a watch and office tag around his neck. The officer said the assailant is lean built and aged between 34 to 38 years. The rough facial profile has given the SIT enough leads, it is said.

“Eyewitnesses gave us descriptions of the assailant and they match with the facial profile. This is a big breakthrough we have got,” said a senior official from the SIT.

A team has been formed to question second-hand bike dealers. Officials from the SIT are collecting details from the dealers on people they sold vehicles to.

On Wednesday, the Rajarajeshwarinagar police went around the area and handed over pamphlets to residents, requesting for help.

Information sought

The police have urged the people to inform them about any suspicious person who moved around in the area on September 5 or afterwards. The residents have been asked to share the information with the Rajarajeshwarinagar police on 080-22942559 or on 94808 01725. But the handbill did not mention anything about Gauri’s murder.