Pune Crime Files: When police were accused of using a planchette to solve Dabholkar’s murder case

As two men were sentenced to life imprisonment in the Narendra Dabholkar murder case recently, looking back at a controversy surrounding the Pune police's probe in the early days.

A special court in Pune on May 10, 2024, sentenced two men to life imprisonment and acquitted three others in the Dabholkar murder case, nearly 11 years after he was shot dead by two motorcycle-borne assailants on the V R Shinde bridge in Pune on August 20 2013. (File Photo)

In 2014, Pune police found themselves at the centre of a row over their alleged attempts to solve the Dr Narendra Dabholkar murder case using superstitious practices to “talk to his soul”.

Though a Maharashtra Police inquiry later gave the city police a clean chit, the irony of investigators allegedly relying on such unscientific practices to crack a murder, especially that of a renowned rationalist who founded the Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti (ANIS), was not lost on anyone.

A special court in Pune, on May 10, sentenced two men to life imprisonment and acquitted three others in the Dabholkar murder case, nearly 11 years after he was shot dead by two motorcycle-borne assailants on VR Shinde bridge in Pune on August 20 2013.

Explained | Rationalist Narendra Dabholkhar’s murder case, in which two have been sentenced to life terms

The planchette

Before the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) took over Dabholkar murder case in June 2014, it was city police that initially investigated the case. In March 2014, the then-Pune police commissioner Gulabrao Pol was transferred, and within days, he took voluntary retirement from service.

However, in July 2014, a report in a news magazine accused him and others, including a former policeman-turned-godman Manish Thakur, of using a planchette to solve the Dabholkar murder case, news of which sent shock waves across the country. Using the ‘planchette’ involves sitting around a board with the alphabet and numbers written on it, and then inviting the dead to talk.

Pol, however, denied the allegations and initiated legal action against the news magazine editor and the journalist who worked on the report. The journalist then released videos supporting his allegations. In the videos, Pol and Thakur were purportedly seen interacting with the journalist. The godman allegedly spoke to Dabholkar’s spirit and narrated the matter to the journalist, as shown in the videos.

Following the controversy, RR Patil, then home minister of Maharashtra, directed the state police to investigate this report. Dr Dabholkar’s family also sought a proper investigation. The state government then handed over the inquiry to then-additional director general of Protection of Civil Rights (PCR) cell of the Maharashtra Police.

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The PCR cell reportedly recorded statements from police officers concerned and others, including the journalist. The journalist said he had submitted the videos to the inquiry committee as evidence.

Also, Vikas Khandelwal, one of the two accused arrested by police in connection with the Dabholkar murder case, had told The Indian Express that the ‘godman’ (former cop), who was alleged to have conducted the séance, visited him when he was in police custody in November 2013 for another crime.

Khandelwal and an alleged firearms dealer Manish Nagori were formally arrested in the Dabholkar murder case by Pune police in January 2014. But the CBI did not name them in the Dabholkar murder case.

In September 2014, the PCR cell submitted the inquiry report, giving a clean chit to Pol, Thakur and others who were alleged to have used the planchette board.

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Speaking to The Indian Express, minister Patil had said: “The report says there is no proof that any planchette was used in the Pune Police Commissioner’s office. I am yet to go into the other details of the report.”
The report, however, was not made available to the media and public.

Express Exclusive | A large community grieving with us gave us strength to cope with our personal grief: Hamid Dabholkar

The recent verdict

In its recent verdict, the special court in Pune convicted two of the arrested accused, Sachin Prakashrao Andure and Sharad Bhausaheb Kalaskar for firing bullets at Dabholkar. Citing a lack of evidence, the court acquitted the alleged mastermind, Dr Virendrasinh Tawade, lawyer Sanjiv Punalekar and activist Vikram Bhave, all linked to Sanatan Sanstha.

The court further stated that Pune police and the CBI had failed to unearth the masterminds. “They have to introspect whether it is their failure or deliberate inaction on their part due to influence by any person in power.”

Chandan Haygunde

Chandan Haygunde is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. With over 20 years of experience in journalism, he is one of the region's most authoritative voices on crime, national security, and legal affairs. Professional Profile Specialization: He specialises covering issues related to Crime, Courts, National Security and Human Rights. He has done investigative reporting on incidents of terrorism, left wing extremism, espionage cases, wildlife crimes, narcotics racket, cyber crimes and sensational murder cases in Pune and other parts of Maharashtra. While working on the ‘Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) Fellowship on Tigers, Tiger Habitats and Conservation’ in 2012, he reported extensively on the illegal activities in the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra. He is at the helm of the widely read weekly series “Pune Crime Files”. He is widely recognized for his deep-dive coverage of the cases related to the Koregaon Bhima violence in Pune and the Elgaar Parishad investigation. Key Beats: His portfolio includes covering crimes mainly under the jurisdiction of Pune City, Pune rural and Pimpri Chinchwad Police, along with the sensitive cases from the state, being investigated by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Background: Before his long tenure at The Indian Express, he worked with other Marathi and English publications, giving him a unique grassroots understanding of Maharashtra's socio-political landscape. Awards and Recognition: He got the CMS PANOS Young Environment Journalist Award in January 2014 for investigative reports on illegal activities in Sahyadri Tiger Rerserve. He received the award for outstanding investigative journalism by the Lokmat group in Pune in January 2020, “Missing since 2010, Pune youth a ‘Maoist Commander’ in Chhattisgarh”, which appeared on July 9, 2019. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) In recent months, Chandan’s reporting has focused on high-profile terror case investigations, inter-state firearms racket, leopard movements in Pune city, cyber scams and hearings of the Koregaon Bhima Commission of Inquiry. 1. High-Profile crimes and terrorism cases “Techie linked to Al-Qaeda preached democracy is against Shariat” (Nov 17, 2025). Reporting on the ongoing investigation into the arrest of IT professional Zubair Hangargekar (37) from Pune for alleged terror links. “The case against Jyoti Jagtap, member of ‘Maoist front’ Kabir Kala Manch and Elgaar Parishad organiser, granted interim bail by apex court” (Nov 20, 2025) Tracking the updates in the high profile Elgaar Parishad case related to the alleged naxal activities in urban areas. “How NIA arrested doctor turned ‘ISIS recruiter’ in Maharashtra terror module case” (Nov 24, 2025) After the arrest of doctors in Delhi Red Fort blast, a report on alleged terror links of a consulting anaesthetist from a Pune hospital. “A year after loco pilot averts tragedy by spotting gas cylinder on railway track, probe still inconclusive” (Dec 8, 2025). Report on the unsolved case of a suspected sabotage incident, which could have derailed a train. “No records of Sambhaji Maharaj’s cremation available: Author, ex-IAS officer Vishwas Patil tells Koregaon Bhima panel” (Dec 1, 2025) Reporting on a sensitive issue related to the Koregaon Bhima violence. 2. Inter-state firearms racket "Pune police swoop down on ‘village of pistols’ in Madhya Pradesh; 36 detained, 50 kilns destroyed" (Nov 22, 2025) "Recce a week before, microplanning: how Pune police raided ‘village of pistols’ in MP" (Nov 24, 2025) Reporting on the illegal gun manufacturing units in Umarti village, Madhya Pradesh 3. Cybercrime & Financial Scams “Pimpri Chinchwad police arrest ‘bank account supplier’ with links to China, nationwide cyber scams" (Nov 27, 2025) An investigative look at the modus opernadi of international cyber-gangs cheating high-earning professionals across the country ‘Your case linked to Pahalgam terrorist’: Pune businessman loses Rs 1.44 crore to fraudster posing as NIA chief" (Oct 18, 2025) Report on the tricks played on cyber scammers cheating people through digital arrest frauds Signature Style: The Investigative Hit Chandan is known for his ability to cultivate deep-cover sources within the police and intelligence agencies. His writing often goes beyond the "police version" of events, providing historical context and identifying systemic lapses. He is particularly respected for his balanced reporting on sensitive communal issues and his persistent tracking of the Maoist urban-link cases, making his columns essential reading for legal experts and policymakers. X (Twitter): @chandan_pune ... Read More

Sushant Kulkarni

Sushant Kulkarni is a Special Correspondent with The Indian Express in Pune with 12+ years of experience covering issues related to Crime, Defence, Internal Security and Courts. He has been associated with the Indian Express since July 2010. Sushant has extensively reported on law and order issues of Pune and surrounding area, Cyber crime, narcotics trade and terrorism. His coverage in the Defence beat includes operational aspects of the three services, the defence research and development and issues related to key defence establishments. He has covered several sensitive cases in the courts at Pune. Sushant is an avid photographer, plays harmonica and loves cooking. ... Read More

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