Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 15 (IANS): The special Kerala Police team formed to conduct a probe into the hit-and-run case that led to the death of journalist S.V. Pradeep here on Monday evening, took into custody the lorry and its driver on Tuesday afternoon in the case.

The head of the special police team told the media that the lorry and the driver were taken into custody from the city itself.

"The driver Joy has been arrested and only after the detailed questioning, will we be able to say anything more," said the team head.

Pradeep, who had previously worked with a few Malayalam TV channels was employed at an online portal. He was riding a two-wheeler when the lorry hit him from behind and sped away.

Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala and state BJP president K. Surendran demanded a thorough probe to track down the real cause of the accident following which Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan ordered formation of a special probe team to be headed by an Assistant Commissioner of Police.

Pradeep's mother said her son had received threats. Of late, he had come out with some hard-hitting reports in the Kerala gold smuggling case.

The Kerala Union of Working Journalists also demanded a comprehensive probe in the case.