The CBI has charged Hindu Janajagruti Samiti member Virendrasing Tawde with criminal conspiracy and murder in connection with the murder of rationalist Narendra Dabholkar in 2013.
The CBI has charged Hindu Janajagruti Samiti member Virendrasing Tawde with criminal conspiracy and murder in connection with the murder of rationalist Narendra Dabholkar in 2013.
According to sources, the agency filed a chargesheet before judicial magistrate first class, Pune, against Tawde, an ENT surgeon who gave up his practice in 2001 to become member of Sanatan Sanstha, levelling charges under IPC sections related to criminal conspiracy and murder.
Talking to reporters here, the CBI spokesperson said, “The motive for the murder of Narendra Dabholkar was allegedly the long enmity/hatred that existed between two private organisations. Narendra Dabholkar was the founder of a Satara (Maharashtra) based organisation (Andhash-raddha Nirmulan Samiti ANS) and the accused (doctor) was part of another other private organisation based at Kolhapur (Sanatan San-stha).”
The agency has managed to piece together links of Tawde with Sanstha, shooter-killer Vinay Pawar and another person involved in criminal conspiracy Sarang Akolkar, who is wanted by NIA in Goa blast case. A red corner notice is pending against him, sources in the agency said, giving details of chargesheet. The crucial evidence with CBI are emails of Tawde, besides testimony of some key persons whose help was sought in the murder of Dabholkar, whose tireless campaign against superstitious practices resulted in Maharashtra enacting a law to check them, they said.
Sources further said the campaign was seen by Sanatan Sanstha as against Hindu religion and the organisation described Dabholkar as “Dharma Dhrohi” (traitor to religion).
