Rationalists murder: CBI gets custody of chief trainer

The CBI on Saturday secured the custody of Rajesh Bangera, who is reported to be the chief trainer of right-wing activists suspected to be involved in the murder of rationalist Dr Narendra Dabholkar and himself is a suspect in the killing of journalist-activist Gauri Lankesh.

Two of the suspects in the Gauri Lankesh murder case— Bangera and Amit Digvekar— were brought to Mumbai on transit remand after seeking custody from the Karnataka SIT.

On Saturday, they were produced before the Shivajinagar Court in Pune and were remanded to a 10-day CBI custody.

Dr Dabholkar was shot dead in Pune on August 20, 2013, while Gauri Lankesh was shot on September 5, 2017 in Bengalaru.

Meanwhile, Sachin Andhure, the man who shot Dr Dabholkar, was sent to a magisterial custody by the Pune Court.

The CBI as part of their investigations found that Andhure, who worked in a saree shop in Aurangabad, was absent from duty and had taken leave on the day Dr Dabholkar was shot.

Andhure and Sharad Kalaskar, went on a motorcycle and fired at Dr Dabholkar.

Investigations have revealed that Andhure and Kalaskar were trained by Bangera.

The CBI has told the court that Bangera and Digvekar were in touch with ENT specialist Dr Virendra Tawde, who is suspected to be the mastermind of killings of Dr Dabholkar and Gauri Lankesh.

In both the murders, the role of right-wing activists, including those owing affiliation to the Sanatan Sanstha and other organisations has come to light during the investigations by the CBI.

However, the CBI has so far not named any organisation (s) in its recent remand applications.

Tawde, who was arrested from the Sanatan Sanstha’s ashram at Panvel in Raigad district on June, 2016, has been charged under sections under 129 (b) and 302 (murder) of Indian Penal Code. Tawde is currently lodged at Yerwada Central Jail, Pune.