Narendra Dabholkar case: CBI gets Tawade custody till June 16

The Pune sessions court on Saturday remanded a doctor, Virendra Tawade, a follower of Sanatan Sanstha — a fringe right-wing group — to CBI custody till June 16 in connection with the 2013 murder of rationalist 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 was revealed that he had been in touch with people who are suspected to be involved in the murder. 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. Furthermore, a black motorcycle was used in both Dabholkar and (Govind) Pansare murders. This accused also has a black motorcycle; so his custody is must.”

The CBI had pressed for seven-day remand to probe the matter further, which was rejected. Instead, the court gave the investigation agency five-days.

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 them in 2008, stated the report.

The CBI stated in its report that a witness had come forward and given a statement against Tawade. The witness, in a statement recorded under section 164, said Tawade had made offensive speeches against Dr Dabholkar in a public programme in Kolhapur in 2004 and had been vocal against him after that.

The CBI also said a black Honda motorcycle was used in the Dabholkar murder case, which was similar to the one owned by Tawade. The CBI added that Tawade had been using three cell phones for some ‘secret’ communication and that the phone details needed to be probed.

On his part, Tawade told the court that he was slapped twice by CBI officials. However, countering his accusations, CBI lawyer Mr 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. However, he left the hospital in 2011 and continued his practice at ashrams of Sanatan Sanstha. He resides near the Sanatan Ashram based in Panvel.