Karnataka government forms SIT to probe Gauri Lankesh's killing

The Karnataka government today decided to form a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the killing of senior journalist and activist Gauri Lankesh.

Briefing reporters after a meeting with top police officials and state Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the SIT would be headed by an Inspector General level officer.

He said the state government was firm on tracking down the culprits at the earliest, and directed the Director General of Police to form the SIT.

To a query, the chief minister said he had an "open mind" for a probe by the CBI in the case.

"But let the SIT investigate. If family members (of Gauri) are very particular, I am with an open mind," he said.

In an audacious attack, the 55-year-old Kannada journalist, known for her left-leaning outlook and forthright views against Hindutva politics, was shot dead by unidentified assailants at her residence here last night.

Gauri had returned home in her car and was opening the gate when motorcycle-borne assailants fired at her indiscriminately, with two bullets hitting her in the chest and one on her forehead. She died instantaneously.

Meanwhile, hordes of journalists in various parts of the country hit the streets today against the killing of the journalist.