Mangaluru: A day after the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the murder of journalist Gauri Lankesh gained the custody of gunrunner and suspect Naveen Kumar, a special team has reached Mangaluru, where Naveen had spent a considerable number of years.

Investigators have credible information about the involvement of four others in Gauri’s murder.Though sources also confirmed that Naveen has made a confession, details about his statements were not revealed as they have been submitted in a sealed envelope to the court.

Multiple officials in the SIT said the four suspects arrived in Kollegala for firearms training at the behest of a Mangaluru-based man. Investigators who visited villages between Kollegal and Chamarajanagar said locals identified Naveen and four others.

The official said villagers were able to identify Naveen and also confirm that four others accompanied him on multiple days. They also described how the gang travelled in a Maruti van (Omni) and was generous with the tip.

Gauri Lankesh was murdered on September 5, 2017, by unknown assailants outside her Rajarajeshwari Nagar residence. The SIT that has been probing the case for nearly six months was in the dark for the most part.