Bengaluru, Sep 12 (DHNS): The Special Investigation Team (SIT) team is following all leads in the probe into of Gauri Lankesh’s murder. While one team is in the process of collecting clues from all those who were in contact with her over phone and other means before her murder, another team is on the hunt for abandoned vehicles across the city.

Several people have been questioned to gather clues about the murder based on Gauri’s phone call records, e-mail, chats on messengers from her laptop. The police are also on the lookout for an autorickshaw and two motorcycles that may have been abandoned by the assailants in the city.

Recently, three Raichur-based labourers who were working at a construction site behind Gauri’s house were also questioned as they claimed to have seen the murderers flee on two bikes.

The labourers told the police that after they heard the gunshots, the dogs started barking and when they came out to see what was happening, they saw two bikes passing by with men on them wearing helmets and jackets. They did not notice the registration plates, SIT sources said.

The 21-member SIT has been given an extra 49 police officials to fast-track the investigations, making it a team of 70 members.

The officials added are of the rank of inspectors, sub-inspectors and constables with expertise in murder investigations.

After questioning some people and receiving a few calls and e-mails on the number and e-mail ID provided by the police, the police have gathered clues from which they sound hopeful on cracking the murder. “We have covered quite a bit of distance and at this juncture, we are hopeful that the murder will be solved,” said a senior SIT official.