CBI makes first arrest in rationalist Dabholkar’s murder

The CBI on Friday made the first arrest in the Narendra Dabholkar murder case. The Central Bureau of Investigation arrested Dr. Virendra Tawde an ENT doctor, who is a member of the Janajagruti Samiti which is related to the Goa-based radical Hindu group Sanatan Sanstha; which had come under the scanner for the murder of another rationalist, Govind Pansare on February 2015.

Dr. Virendra Tawde was arrested from his Panvel residence at 8:30 pm on Wednesday on the charges of being the co-conspirator in Dabholkar’s murder.

Tawde will today be produced in a Pune court at 3pm, according to CBI spokeperson, Devpreet Singh. He had been under questioning by the CBI for the murder and many of his documents, mobile phones and laptops are under CBI’s scrutiny.

Dr. Narendra Dabholkar

He has also been discovered to be in contact with Sarang Akolkar, another activist of the Sanstha, who is an absconder with a Red Corner Notice (RCN) issued by the Interpol against him in the Goa blast case of 2009.

However his name cropped up in the case for the very first time when sketches were revealed of the murderer after the incident.

Dabholkar’s son Hamid said that they have always stated that there is resemblance between Akolkar’s picture and the sketches of one of Dabholkar’s murder suspects.

Meanwhile the CBI has also discovered that one of the weapons from the murder of Govind Pansare matches with one used in the killing of rationalist Dabholkar, and another matches with the one used to kill MM Kalburgi. The CBI has approached Scotland Yard for help in the case.

Narendra Dabholkar, a doctor by profession, was killed by two unidentified gun-men seated on a motor-cycle when he was out on a stroll near his Pune residence. The case had shaken the nation and had incited immense reactions from many thinkers and media in the country, with many such thinkers returning their awards given to them. Dabholkar was also someone who had pressed on the need for an anti-superstition act, which was passed by the Maharashtra Government (making it the first state to do so), although after his demise.

• About the Author

About Anushka Jain

When I was seven years old my mother used to cut out several articles for me to read and I used to spend hours pouring over them. As I grew up I realized this is what I wanted to do when I'd grow up i.e Journalism. So now I write, read and spectate. I love politics, literature, and current affairs. I also have a neurotic craze for puppies.