Gauri Lankesh murder | Karnataka CM orders SIT probe

Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, on Wednesday, orders a probe by Special Investigation Team (SIT) into the killing of journalist-activist Gauri Lankesh, who was shot dead here on Tuesday night.

"An SIT has been formed, headed by an Inspector-General-level officer, to investigate the journalist killing," the Chief Minister told the media after meeting top police officers at the state assembly Vidhan Soudha.

Asked if the investigation could be handed over to a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) team, Siddaramaiah said, "Have left it to the Director General of Police (R.K. Dutta) who will speak to the state Home Minister (Ramalinga Reddy) and decide."

ALSO READ: Gauri Lankesh murder cannot be tolerated : Sonia Gandhi

He further stated, "I have an open mind. If the family members insist on a CBI investigation, the state could think about it."

Lankesh, 55, was shot dead by three unidentified men who fired seven bullets at her when she returned home from her office in the city. Two hit her in the chest and one in the forehead.

She was the editor of popular Kannada tabloid 'Gauri Lankesh Patrike'.

ALSO READ: Gauri Lankesh murder | Last rites to be conducted in Bengaluru

In November 2016, she was sentenced to six months in jail after a defamation case was filed against her for a report against Bharatiya Janata Party leaders.

Earlier, Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) M.N. Anucheth said, "Three special teams were set up to crack the case. They are on the lookout for the suspected assailants. We are tracking the movement of people and vehicles at check posts and inter-state borders."

"We have alerted our counterparts in the neighbouring states of Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu as well," said Anucheth.

IANS