Bengaluru: The police have detained and question around 20 habitual offenders and persons with criminal antecedents in connection with the firing on the president of Dasanapura APMC at Yelahanka.

According to the police, the modus operandi of the attack on K. Srinivas pointed to the involvement of professional criminals.

The attack was carried out by two bike-borne men on February 3. They fired six rounds, injuring Srinivas and his driver Murthy. “We have rounded up habitual offenders to narrow down on the motive for the attack,” a senior police officer said.

Police are awaiting the ballistic report, but preliminary investigations indicated to the use of a country-made weapon, added the officer. Meanwhile, Srinivas and Murthy are recuperating after surgeries to remove the bullets. Three bullets were removed from Srinivas. His recovery will take time as he is a diabetic. Police are waiting to take down their statements. Srinivas, who is also in the real estate business, is named in several criminal cases, said a police officer.

The police examined CCTV footage from nearby shops, but they were of little help as the culprits wore helmets.