K'taka orders setting up of special courts for Lankesh, Kalburgi trials

Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday said the state government has ordered setting up of special courts to hear the case pertaining to the murder of renowned Kannada writer MM Kalburgi and journalist Gauri Lankesh.

- Arun Dev

The chief minister issued two directives to the state's home secretary following requests from the families of Kalburgi and Lankesh seeking expedited legal proceedings.

Kalburgi (77), a renowned Kannada writer and researcher, was murdered on August 30, 2015 at his residence in Dharwad in northern Karnataka.

A charge sheet in connection with the case was registered by the police in 2019.

"Though evidence proceedings of the family have been completed, hearing in the court has continued. The wife of the late writer, Umadevi, has requested the setting up of a special court as enough time has passed by," the chief minister said in a statement released to the media on Wednesday. "Directions have been issued to take urgent steps in this regard."