Dabholkar murder case: Cross-examination of former investigating officer concludes

At retirement, Singh handed over the case to Deputy Superintendent V K Meena, now the holding investigating officer.

On Tuesday, Advocate Vast completed Singh’s cross-examination. Suryawanshi said the prosecution will inform the court on September 13 if more witnesses are to be examined.

Earlier, Singh told the court that accused Amol Kale, a Sanatan Sanstha member who is also a key accused in the murders of journalist Gauri Lankesh and Kannada Scholar Kalburgi, provided the weapon and motorcycle used in Dabholkar murder. Efforts to recover them continued after chargesheets were filed in November 2019, but unsuccessfully.

Rationalist Dr Dabholkar was shot dead on a Pune bridge in 2013. Those charged include ENT surgeon Dr Virendrasinh Tawade, alleged assailants Sachin Andure and Sharad Kalaskar, lawyer Sanjeev Punalekar and his aide Vikram Bhave, all linked to the Sanatan Sanstha.

In September 2021, charges were framed against the five accused, who pleaded not guilty.
Accused number 1, 2, 3 and 5 — Dr Virendrasingh Tawade, Sachin Andure, Sharad Kalaskar and Vikram Bhave — have been charged with murder, conspiracy to commit murder and under Section 16 of the UAPA pertaining to terrorist act and various provisions of the Arms Act for the use of firearm. Accused number 4, Advocate Sanjeev Punalekar has been charged for destruction of evidence in the case.