Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru (DC)

Bengaluru, Jun 26: The killers of journalist Gauri Lankesh had also hatched a plan to eliminate national award winning actor Prakash Rai, who is known for his outspokenness against the right-wing outfits.

The explosive details were revealed during the investigation carried out by the SIT sleuths, reported a leading Kannada news channel.

It is learnt that Gauri's killers had conspired to kill Prakash Rai after he targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP on public platforms.

The killers had also planned to eliminate Jnanpeetha awardee Girish Karnad and they had named it as 'operation kaka'. He was on the hitlist of killers.

Parashuram Waghmore, the accused who allegedly shot Gauri dead, reportedly revealed the plan to eliminate Prakash Rai during the questioning. The killers were miffed with Rai's statement post Gauri's murder, he is understood to have said.

Rai had started a campaign following the killing of Gauri Lankesh. The accused were also angered by alleged 'anti-Hindu' statements given by the actor.

Sujith Kumar alias Praveen, Amol Kale alias Bhaisaab, Amit Degwekar alias Pradeep, and Manohar Dundappa Yadave alias Manoj have also been arrested along with Parashuram in connection to Gauri's murder.

Prakash Rai reacting to the news said, "If someone has a different opinion, killing is not the solution. It is saddening to know that in our country people are poisoned with such ideas where a person goes to an extent of killing someone who is opposed to your opinion. I am worried that young minds are poisoned with such ideas of cruelty. They say I am anti-Hindu. I never spoke against the religion. But I have opposed people politicizing religion and poisoning the young minds with such ideas. I will not stop questioning and my fight will be more aggressive since my allegations are proved right."