Mumbai: The Pune sessions court on Saturday remanded Dr. Virendra Tawade, a member of Sanatan Sanstha — a fringe rightwing Hindutva group — to CBI custody till June 16 in connection with the 2013 murder of rationalist thinker Dr Narendra Dabholkar.
A CBI team arrested Tawade on Friday in Panvel, a few days after his house was raided. While demanding Tawade’s custody, CBI lawyer B.P. Raju said, “During investigation it has been revealed that Dr Tawade has been in touch with a few people who are suspected to be involved in the Dabholkar murder case. CBI officials have also got some emails, which indicate that he was in touch with the other suspects.
“Also, Tawade was not able to give convincing answers about why he was in touch with the suspects. Further, a black motorcycle was used in both Dabholkar and (Govind) Pansare murders. This accused also has a black motorcycle; so his custody is must.”
Infographic
According to the CBI remand report, Tawade was in touch with Sarang Akolkar, a wanted accused in the 2009 Goa blast case. Emails were exchanged between Tawade and Akolkar in 2008. CBI in its remand report said that one witness has come forward and given statement against Dr. Tawde.
The witness in a statement recorded under section 164 has said that Tawade had given offensive speeches against Dr Dabholkar in a public programme in Kolhapur in 2004 and had been vocal against him after that as well.
CBI said Dr Tawde was using three mobile phones for some ‘secret’ communication.
On his part, Tawade told the court that he was beaten up by CBI officials. He said he was slapped twice by the officials. However, countering his accusations, CBI lawyer B.P. Raju said Tawade’s medical report had been submitted to the court and it did not indicate any injury or health issues. Tawade is an ENT specialist, who used to work with JJ Hospital.
Arrest welcomed by family
The arrest of Virendra Tawade, of Hindu Janjagruti Samiti, and a staunch follower of Sanatan Sanstha, over the murder of rationalist Dr Narendra Dabholkar has brought some relief to his family members but the Sanstha has cried foul, saying it is an act to defame the organisation.
Infographic
Meanwhile, Congress has demanded that the organisation be banned, a proposal that was mooted by the then government. While Dabholkar’s daughter, Mukta expressed pleasure over the progress of the probe, she said speedy trial should be conducted in the case.
“The investigation agency officials have worked so hard and this is the result of their hard work. I heard yesterday about the arrest and I think (the murder) might be a big conspiracy and after this arrest officials will able to solve the conspiracy.”
Sanatan Sanstha’s spokesperson Abhay Vartak said, “Dr Veerendrasingh Tawade’s arrest is an act to defame the Sanstha under the BJP government.
It is evident that though there have been sweeping changes in the political scenario both at the centre as well as the state levels, the persecution of the Hindutvavadis continues.
“Many pro-Hindu organisations have expressed their deep displeasure against this policy of the government,” the spokesperson added.
