BENGALURU: The bullets that killed journalist Gauri Lankesh were manufactured in Khadki near Pune in Maharastra, according to sources in the special investigation team (SIT) that is probing the case.
Officials of the SIT have landed in the cantonment town looking for more clues.
Sources in the SIT said the team that was in Maharastra was sent to Khadki after the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) report confirmed that the bullets were made there.
Based on the markings on the bullets and cartridges found at the scene of crime, the FSL narrowed down on the place where such bullets are manufactured. Once they zero in on the manufacturer, the SIT officials hope to get more information, sources said.
Though the SIT is looking into the possible involvement of right wing groups, it has not given up its probe into the role of left groups.
“Several top Maoist leaders had participated in a meeting held at Amaravathi in AP a couple of months ago. The meeting was aimed at discussing making the Maoists lay down arms. A small group of five agreed to come to do so on the condition that the government provide them monetary benefits. However, when the Karnataka government refused, one of the groups was unhappy about it and had vented anger against Gauri. The meeting was cancelled and Gauri returned and sought an appointment with the CM but was killed shortly after,” explained the source.
In another development, a team of SIT officers met reformed gangster Agni Sridhar. Sridhar said that an officer had indeed visited him and questioned him.