DCP (West) M N Anucheth will be the Investigating Officer of the 21-member SIT, state Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy said.
"The government has passed an order in this regard," he told PTI here.
Earlier, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced the decision to form a SIT to investigate the brutal killing, which has sparked nationwide outrage and protests.
He also said his government had an "open mind" to an investigation by CBI, a demand made by the slain journalist's family.
55-year old Gauri Lankesh, known as an anti-establishment voice with strident anti-right wing views, was shot dead at close range by unknown assailants at her home here yesterday.