The special investigation team (SIT) probing the murder of slain journalist Gauri Lankesh has strong suspicions of the involvement of Naxals, reports Suvarna News.

Lankesh had been trying to get BG Krishnamurthy, Latha Mudaraga and Prabha, who are members of a Naxal group to surrender, much to the displeasure and discontent of another Naxal leader, Vikram Gowda and his team.

Naxal Teams - Tunga and Bhadra

There are two groups namely Tunga and Bhadra under which Naxals are active in this region. While Tunga was being led by Vikram Gowda and was active in areas around Chikamagaluru, Bhadra, led by Krishnamurthy was active in Shivamogga. It is said that Gauri Lankesh had convinced the Tunga group to surrender. Vikram, who was totally against the surrender of Naxals to the government would openly condemn the attempts of Lankesh and her team. The SIT is probing if this could have led to the murder of the journalist.

Did Vikram Gowda kill Lankesh?

The SIT is investigating the possibility of Vikram Gowda, who is said to be ‘most wanted’ and absconding in the forests around Chikamagaluru, having come to Bengaluru himself and killed Lankesh. According to police records, CCTV footage show the assailant’s height as being around 5.2 to 5.4 feet. But there is difference of opinion within the SIT in this regard as a section of the officers debate the possibility of Gowda having executed the task himself.