Bengaluru: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) officials, who are probing the murder of senior journalist and activist Gauri Lankesh, have intensified the probe in all angles and are questioning former Naxals Sirimane Nagaraj and Noor Zulfikar alias Sridhar.

The former Naxals, who were taken into custody by the SIT, headed by an ACP, are being interrogated at an undisclosed place, according to sources.

Sources also said that a team of officials were questioning Nagaraj and Sridhar, as they were in contact with Gauri Lankesh and added that as the SIT is also probing the Naxal angle to the murder, Nagaraj and Sridhar were being questioned to ascertain whether any faction had hatred towards her.

In the past, Gauri Lankesh had negotiated with the Naxals and made nine of them to surrender before the Police so that they could join the mainstream of society. Sridhar and Nagaraj were among those who gave up the violent path at the insistence of Gauri Lankesh and began leading a normal life.

Another team is reportedly grilling six associates of notorious rowdy-sheeter, Kunigal Giri, who has more than 50 cases against him.  “The CCTV camera had recorded their movements around the house of Gauri Lankesh. If necessary, Giri, who is lodged in jail, will also be interrogated by SIT,” an official said.