On August 19, 2023, a protest was organised in Dadar, Mumbai to mark 10 years since the murder of activist Narendra Dabholkar. Notably, rationalist and anti-superstition activist Dr Narendra Dabholkar was shot dead on the VR Shinde Bridge, also known as Omkareshwar Bridge, on August 20, 2013, when was out on a morning walk.
The said demonstration is being organised to protest against violence and to promote humanity and sisterhood. The said protest was organised by Maharashtra Superstition Nirmoolan Samiti, Mumbai. Many organisations came together to participate in the said protest, some of whom are Maharashtra Annis, Nashabandi Mandal, Rashtra Seva Dal, Friends of Democracy, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Jayanti Mahotsav Samiti, Rebel Cultural Movement, Mumbai Sarvodaya Mandal, Bhakar Foundation, Jamaat e Islam Hind, CPM, CPI, Samata Parishad, Secular Janata Dal, Chhatra Bharti , Federation of Indian Women (NFIW), Vidyarthi Bharti, Marathi Bharti, Abha Parivartan Sanstha, Stree Mukti Sanghatana, AISF, DYFI, Maharashtra Vaidu Vikas Samiti, Constitution Campaigner Lokchalwal, Malvani Yuva Parishad (Youth Group), Anubhav Shiksha Kendra and Citizen for Justice and Peace (CJP).
It is essential to note that the said protest was to be taken out from Veer Kotwal to Chaityabhoomi, while covering Sena Bhavan, Portuguese Church, and Sushrusha Hospital, was stopped by the police and not allowed to proceed as planned. As provided by a participant to SabrangIndia, after people gathered at the first stop, the police came to the spot and provided that the permission to take out procession stood “cancelled” after being initially granted. Citizens were confined inside Kotwal maidan and could not walk to Chaityabhoomi, as was scheduled. But, inspite of this hurdle, protesters continued with their songs of justice and resistance at the same spot.
Supreme Court asks CBI to look into ‘Larger Conspiracy’ in killings of Dabholkar, Pansare, Kalburgi, Lankesh
On August 18, the Supreme Court told the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to look into whether there was an overarching conspiracy in the killings of rationalist Narendra Dabholkar, activist Govind Pansare, writer M.M. Kalburgi and journalist Gauri Lankesh. Notably, the Supreme Court bench comprising Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Sudhanshu Dhulia was hearing a plea filed by Dabholkar’s daughter, Mukta Dabholkar, challenging the Bombay high court’s refusal to continue monitoring his murder case.
It is essential to note that in April 2023, the Bombay High Court had refused to continue monitoring the murder probe of anti-superstition crusader Narendra Dabholkar, who was shot dead for ideological reasons in 2013. A division bench of Justices Ajay S Gadkari and Prakash Naik had disposed of two petitions, one of which was filed by Mukta, stating that “…No further monitoring is required.” It is crucial to note that the masterminds behind the said crime are yet to be arrested.
Senior Advocate Anand Grover, appearing for the petitioner argued that the CBI investigation was not completed when the impugned order of the High Court was passed. Advocate Grover further highlighted that even perfunctory evidence indicated that the murders of Govind Pansare (killed in 2015), Dr. Narendra Dabholkar, Professor MM Kalburgi (killed in 2015), and Gauri Lankesh (killed in 2017) are interconnected. Grover also contended that this issue was agitated before the Bombay High Court. To provide a link, the court was informed that emphasized that Dabholkar was against superstitious practices, Pansare had written a book on Shivaji Maharaj, Kalburgi propagated separation of Lingayats from Hindus and Lankesh was disliked for her views.
When Justice Dhulia asked what was wrong with the high court’s observation that it will not monitor the case in which trial was ongoing and several witnesses had been examined, Advocate Grover stated that the absconding accused had not been arrested yet – despite which a trial was afoot, as reported by LiveLaw.
When asked about the “larger conspiracy” angle, the ASG said that among the five accused sufficient evidence is not there against three, and the other two are not connected. Another five accused are undergoing trial, she said as reported by LiveLaw.
On this, as per LiveLaw, the bench told Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for the CBI, that the CBI could examine the issue of a larger conspiracy on the basis of additional documents filed by Dabholkar’s daughter. The bench asked for clarity from the CBI on whether the accused who are on trial have no common thread between them.
“The accused who are facing a trial, according to you there is no common thread in those four murders? Right? That is what you are saying?” Justice Dhulia had enquired, as per LiveLaw.
Brief Background of the case:
The present case pertains to Narendra Dabholkar, a rationalist and social activist, who was shot dead by extremist elements on his morning walk in 2013.
In 2014, the High Court transferred the probe to the CBI from Pune police following a petition by activist Ketan Tirodkar and later by Mukta Dabholkar. Since then, the court has been monitoring the progress of the case.
In 2021, the special Pune court framed charges against alleged mastermind Virendra Sinh Tawde. It charged him and three others for murder, conspiracy and terror-related offences under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act. The fifth accused, Advocate Sanjeev Punalekar was charged with destruction of evidence. The accused were allegedly connected to the right-wing religious outfit Sanathan Sanstha.
Related:
Dabholkar murder case trial to begin soon; Pune court frames charges against accused
Bombay HC grants bail to accused Vikram Bhave in Narendra Dabholkar murder case
Trial in Dabholkar and Pansare murders to begin; Bombay HC to monitor
Bombay HC disturbed at delay in Dabholkar-Pansare murder investigation
Narendra Dabholkar and his immortal ideas
Gauri Lankesh Assassination: Accused denied bail by Aurangabad HC
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Gauri Lankesh Assassination Trial: Hearings to resume before KCOCA Court today
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From Kalburgi to Gauri Lankesh: Silencing Rational Voices in Karnataka