Narendra Dabholkar Murder Case: CBI Identifies the Two Gunmen

Rationalist Dr Narendra Dabholkar was shot in Pune in 2013 by motorcycle-borne gunmen, now in the CBI’s sights.

Dr Narendra Dabholkar was shot dead on 20 August 2013 in Pune. (Photo Courtesy: Youtube screengrab)

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has identified the two shooters who killed rationalist Narendra Dabholkar, reports The Indian Express.

CBI made the claim after interrogating and investigating an arrested suspect, Dr Virendra Tawade, who is a member of a sister organisation of Sanatan Sanstha.

The two shooters, also wanted in the 2009 Goa blast case, are members of the Sanatan Sanstha. One of the two shooters has been identified as Sarang Akolkar while the name of the second one was withheld. A senior official told The Indian Express:

Our probe has led us to believe that the murder was carried out by a close-knit group of four, with Tawade being the second in command. We have found that Tawade was receiving orders from his handlers and passing them on to Akolkar and another Sanstha member. We believe the last two were the killers, and Tawade and his handler the key conspirators.

In an email exchange between Akolkar and Tawade in 2010, the two reportedly decided to target Dabholkar.

Also Read: Sanatan Sanstha Members’ Emails Discuss Procuring Arms: CBI Report