Dabholkar murder case: 2 get life imprisonment, 3 others acquitted
What's the story
A special court in Pune on Friday pronounced its verdict in the trial against five people linked to the Hindu right-wing organization Sanatan Sanstha in the 2013 murder case of activist Narendra Dabholkar.
The court acquitted ENT surgeon Dr Virendrasinh Tawade, Mumbai-based lawyer Sanjeev Punalekar, and his aide Vikram Bhave for the lack of evidence.
The court convicted the two alleged assailants Sachin Andure and Sharad Kalaskar and sent them to life imprisonment.
Context
Why does this story matter?
Dr Dabholkar, a rationalist and anti-superstition crusader, was the founder of Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti (MANS).
On August 20, 2013 morning—at the age of 67—Dhabholkar was shot dead by two assailants on a motorcycle on the VR Shinde bridge in Pune.
The murder which sent shockwaves across the country was initially probed by Pune City Police and was later investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) from June 2014, following an order from the Bombay High Court.
Trial details
'Accused opposed to Dabholkhar's crusade against superstition'
In June 2016, the CBI detained Dr Tawade, who was associated with the Sanatan Sanstha.
The prosecution examined 20 witnesses while the defence examined two witnesses during the trial.
The accused were opposed to Dabholkar's crusade against superstition, the prosecution had stated in its final arguments.
According to the prosecution, Dr Tawade was one of the masterminds of the murder.
Chargesheet
'Kalaskar, Andure shot Dabholkar'
Sanatan Sanstha was opposed to the work carried out by Dabholkar's MANS, the prosecution claimed.
In its initial chargesheet, the CBI identified fugitives Akolkar and Pawar as the shooters.
However, later, the agency apprehended Andure and Kalaskar.
In a supplementary charge sheet, the CBI said that Andure and Kalaskar were the ones who shot Dabholkar.
IPC
Accused booked under IPC and UAPA
Later, the central agency arrested advocate Sanjeev Punalekar and Vikram Bhave as alleged co-conspirators.
The accused were booked under Indian Penal Code sections 120 B (conspiracy ), 302 (murder), relevant sections of the Arms Act, and section 16 (Punishment for terrorist act ) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
While Dr Tawade, Andure and Kalaskar are in jail, Punalekar and Bhave are out on bail.