Narendra Dabholkhar

The Sanatan Sanstha has alleged that rationalist Dr Narendra Dabholkar’s NGO, Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti (ANIS) was involved in financial irregularities, especially those related to acceptance of grants, and hence, the state should conduct an inquiry.

Sanatan Sanstha’s spokesperson claimed that Satara’s superintendent of the Office of Registrar of Public Trust, in its inquiry report, had made several adverse remarks against the financial conduct of Dr Dabholkar’s NGO. However, Dr Dabholkar’s family rubbished all such allegations and said that the report was not final and basically an attempt to divert attention from Dr Dabholkar’s assassination.

Sanatan Sanstha further cited a report submitted by the assistant charity commissioner, Satara, which claimed that foreign funds given to ANIS had not been accounted for. Advocate Sanjeev Punelekar, lawyer for Sanatan Sanstha, said, “Crores of rupees taken as donation have not been audited. Siphoning of money can be the reason behind Dr Dabholkar’s murder. We will see to it that all members of Dr Dabholkar’s family go to jail for misusing money taken in the name of poor.”

The charity commissioner will take further action on the report under the Foreign Contributors Regulation Act, said Advocate Punelekar. “We will also file a complaint with the Income Tax Department after translating this report because audit reports on financial transactions have not been filed,\" he added.

People close to Dr Dabholkar’s family have however dismissed the allegations as false and baseless and a means by which the Hindutva outfit is trying to mislead investigation into Dr Dabholkar’s murder.

Dr Hamid Dabholkar, son of late Dr Dabholkar, said, “Sanatan is levelling allegations against ANIS based on an incomplete report as has been submitted by the superintendent of the charity commissioner office. Later, the charity commissioner (Pune) will finalise the report and the joint commissioner will make it officially open to the public.”