Accused in Dabholkar killing chargesheeted

Tribune News Service

Mumbai, November 13

Six members of the Sanatan Sanstha and the Hindu Janjagruti Samiti (HJS), arrested in connection with the 2013 murder of rationalist Narendra Dabholkar in Pune, have been charged with terrorist activities.

According to sources, a report by the CBI invoking terror charges against the six under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) was filed before the court of Judicial Magistrate (First Class), SMA Sayyed, on Monday.

Subsequently, the investigating agency, which was to file a charge-sheet by November 1, sought an extension of 90 days under the provisions of the UAPA.

Of the six persons arrested in connection with Dabholkar’s murder, ENT surgeon Virendra Tawade was held more than two years ago and the rest this year. Two of them, Sachin Andure and Sharad Kalaskar, are suspected to have opened fire on Dabholkar. Three others — Amol Kale, Amit Digwekar and Rajesh Bangera — are key accused in the murder of journalist Gauri Lankesh in September 2017.

Officials say the CBI has obtained vital clues connecting the accused to the murders of Dabholkar, Lankesh, Communist leader Govind Pansare and rationalist MM Kalaburgi. The arrested are also believed to have a role in the bomb blasts in Maharashtra and Goa a few years ago.