Dabholkar Murder Case: CBI likely to file chargesheet by November 18

“Why hasn’t the chargesheet been filed against the accused in connection to Narendra Dabholkar Murder Case?” asked Bombay High Court on Wednesday. Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) informed the high court that it is likely to file the chargesheet by November 18.

Earlier, the CBI had arrested seven accused in connection with the murder of Rationalist Dr Narendra Dabholkar and Comrade Govind Pansare. CBI has discovered that the accused are also linked with the murder of Bengaluru-based journalist Gauri Lankesh. Earlier in September this year, CBI had obtained the custody of Amol Kale, who is the prime suspect in the murder of Gauri Lankesh.

Earlier on August 20, 2013, Narendra Dabholkar was shot dead by two people in Pune. Similarly, Comrade Govind Pansare was shot dead on February 20, 2015.

The investigation of the case was handed over to CBI from Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and the agency took the custody of the main accused, Sachin Andhure, in the Dabholkar Murder case. Maharashtra ATS got its lead on the murderers of Dabholkar after they arrested Sanatan Sanstha member Vaibhav Raut from Nalasopara in connection with the explosive case.

While appearing in the court for CBI, Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh told a bench consisting of Justice SC Dharmadhikari and BP Colabawalla that the investigative agency is yet to finish its probe on the matter and is likely to file a chargesheet until November 18.