Dabholkar, Pansare killings well-planned, linked: HC
Observing that the killings of Narendra Dabholkar and Govind Pansare were ‘well planned’ and that the assailants had a strong ‘organisational back up’, the Bombay High Court on Wednesday pulled up the investigating agencies, for their failure to trace two absconding accused. The HC also said that there was a ‘clear nexus’ between both the killings.
A division bench of Justice Satyaranjan Dharmadhikari and Justice Vibha Kankanwadi, was hearing a batch of petitions filed by the family members of Pansare and Dabholkar. They had urged the HC to monitor the probe.
The special counsel appearing for the Central Bureau of Investigations (CBI) that is probing the Dabholkar murder case, submitted a progress report. Similar report was placed on record by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) which is looking into the killing of Pansare.
After perusing the reports, Justice Dharmadhikari said, “It can be said that these killings were not one or two stray incidents and rather certain organisations must be backing them. It can also be said that these organisations might be helping them financially and that these incidents were well planned.”
The judges noted that Sarang Akolkar and Vinay Pawar, as identified by the investigators to have gunned down the activists, are still at large despite several measures undertaken to nab them.
Pulling up the agencies, Justice Dharmadhikari said, “In today’s era, it is impossible for someone to hide for so long. It has been four years now, and you still cannot trace them. We are of the opinion that you must use the modern technologies for some more leads. You should check if they had any bank accounts or transactions also if any ATM withdrawals are made. You can also check the rail bookings just after the murder.”
“Take this case as a challenge since your credibility is at stake. If this case is not solved, we feel sorry to say that no citizens can claim that they are safe and secure,” the judges added.
Posting the matter for further hearing on September 13, the judges also directed the family members of slain activists to file an affidavit and seek their prayer of making the Home Secretary and CBI Director accountable for the probe.