India: CFWIJ Criticizes Bail Decision in Gauri Lankesh Case, Citing Threat to Press Freedom
Journalist was gunned down by unknown men in 2017
Location: India, Karnataka
Date: December 13, 2023
The Coalition for Women in Journalism and Women Press Freedom expresses deep concern over the Karnataka High Court in India granting bail to one of the accused in the murder case of Gauri Lankesh, a renowned journalist brutally murdered outside her home in Bengaluru on September 5, 2017. This decision is a significant setback in the pursuit of justice and raises serious questions about press freedom and the safety of journalists in India. We call on the Indian legal authorities to reconsider this decision and ensure justice is served for Lankesh and her family. We urge the judiciary to prioritize the safety of journalists and uphold press freedom, which are vital components of a democratic society.
The Karnataka High Court in India granted bail to Mohan Nayak, an accused in the murder case of journalist Gauri Lankesh — a fearless journalist known for her critical stance against right-wing extremism and commitment to social justice, who was shot dead outside her home on September 5, 2017.
Lankesh’ murder, which involved four bullets fired by two assassins, shook the nation and spotlighted the dangers faced by journalists in India. Lankesh was the editor of Lankesh Patrike, a Kannada-language weekly tabloid that boldly covered issues such as communal violence and caste disparities.
Last year, CFWIJ documented the hearing of Lankesh’s murder case starting in July 2022 ,after almost five years in a Bangalore court.
The accused, Mohan Nayak, aged 56, is linked to a right-wing Hindutva outfit and is one of 17 individuals arrested in relation to Lankesh’s murder. The court's justification for granting bail centered on the prolonged trial proceedings and the nature of the charges, which the judge believed did not merit a life or death sentence.
While the ensuing legal proceedings were expected to grant justice to Lankesh and send a strong message against any kind of violence against journalists, it did the opposite and granted bail to accused number 11 in the journalist’s murder, who is linked with a right-wing Hindutva outfit.
The judge justified the verdict by highlighting the prolonged trial proceedings and contending that charges against the accused, as a co-conspirator, didn’t warrant a life or death sentence under the law.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom expresses disappointment with the ruling. The decision not only jeopardizes the pursuit of justice for Lankesh but also poses a threat to the safety of journalists in India, where press freedom is increasingly under pressure. The negative implications of this ruling on press freedom could embolden those who seek to harm journalists, undermining accountability and justice. We call on the Indian judiciary to prioritize the safety of journalists and the upholding of press freedom, which they regard as pillars of a democratic society. We urge the court to reconsider its decision and hold those responsible to account, highlighting the harmful impact of the verdict on the credibility of the justice system and the safety of journalists.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
If you have been harassed or abused in any way, and please report the incident by using the following form.
