Bengaluru: KT Naveen Kumar, an accused in the Gauri Lankesh murder case, was arrested on Friday in connection with the murder of Kannada journalist Gauri Lankesh six months ago, police said.

“Naveen Kumar, 37, has been arrested by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) and is an accused in the Gauri Lankesh case,” SIT investigation officer MN Anucheth told IANS here.

Kumar was detained on March 2 for questioning after he was booked by the Crime Branch on February 19 under the Arms Act for illegal possession of 15 bullets of a revolver. The accused hails from Birur town in Chikmagalur district, about 250 km west of Bengaluru, the police said.

“Based on certain clues provided by him, the SIT took him into custody for further questioning and investigation,” Anucheth had said earlier. According to the police, Naveen has contacts with many fringe right-wing groups including gun dealers in north India. He allegedly used to supply arms and ammunition to his contacts.

The police are grilling Naveen to find leads in the Gauri Lankesh murder case. Naveen was arrested by the CCB while he was waiting at the Kempegowda bus terminus to handover 15 rounds of ammunition to his contacts on February 18. The police have also launched a manhunt for Naveen’s associates.

SOURCE : http://www.bfirst.in/category/bengaluru/gauri-lankesh-case-naveen-kumar-sent-to-sit-custody-for-5-days-464511