H.L. Suresh, who was arrested by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Thursday in connection with the murder of journalist Gauri Lankesh, led the police on a merry chase. He was even treated as a witness after he convinced them that he was simply a landlord who had no idea that his tenants were Hindutva hardliners plotting a hit.
The main accused in the murder conspiracy, Sujith Kumar aka Praveen, and the alleged gunman who pulled the trigger Parashuram Waghmore stayed in the house owned by Suresh in Seegehalli days before the murder. They remained there for several weeks before she was shot on September 5, 2017.
“At first, we believed that he unwittingly let out his house to the accused and, hence, treated him as a witness,” said an SIT official.
The SIT, however, now alleges that in light of new information following recent arrests, Suresh was not only in the know of the conspiracy, but was an active member of the group.
“Suresh played the role of host, prepared food for the men, and later destroyed evidence,” a senior police officer said.
In its remand application submitted to the court, the SIT claimed that he had destroyed evidence by disposing of helmets, clothes and other materials that the biker and shooter used for the crime.
All the accused vacated the house on the night of the murder.
Suresh claimed no knowledge of the conspiracy and his statement had been recorded before a magistrate under Section 164 of the CrPC, said the police officer. “Now, however, we have evidence, which points to him playing an active role in the conspiracy,” the officer claimed.
According to another source, his role came to light after the arrest of Mohan Naik, who allegedly told them of Suresh’s involvement.
‘Key aide to Amol Kale’
Suresh, who hails from Tumakuru, is believed to be a key aide of Amol Kale, one of the main handlers in the plot. The two were reportedly introduced to each other by Suresh’s relative, who was a member of a right-wing organisation.
According to SIT sources, he has been an active member of a Goa-based Hindutva organisation from at least 2008. The police unearthed reports from the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti’s website showing Suresh taking part in its activities a decade ago.
Sources said that for the last 10 years, he has been working in Karnataka indoctrinating youth, and hosting lectures and exhibitions in high schools and colleges.
In July 2017, Kale allegedly roped in Suresh in the plot to assassinate Gauri, and asked him to arrange accommodation in Bengaluru, as he was familiar with the real estate market.
“Kale also stayed in a house in Kumbalgodu that Suresh had arranged for him,” said an SIT official, adding that the information came from Mohan Naik.
Allegation of torture
H.L. Suresh, when presented in a city court on Thursday, broke down and alleged that he was tortured in police custody.
The court turned down the SIT’s application for police custody and sent him to judicial custody till August 4. It has also ordered a medical examination of Suresh on Friday.
“Any layman could tell that he was beaten up in custody. The right side of his face was swollen. He was fearing police custody. The police have not brought before the court any new evidence to defend the arrest of a person, whose statement they recorded as a witness a month ago,” said Nagesh Joshi, advocate for Suresh.
