Police will arrest Dabholkar's killers soon, says R R Patil

He also commented on terrorist Usmani's recent escape among other issues

Maharashtra Home Minister R R Patil said here today that the police would arrest assassins of rationalist and founder of the Andhashraddha Nirmulan Samiti (Anti-Blind Faith Eradication Committee) Narendra Dabholkar, "as soon as possible".

"I have full faith in the police that they will arrest Dabholkar's killers," Patil told reporters this morning at the Maharashtra Police Academy (MPA) here, when it was pointed out to him that Dabholkar's family members had demanded an inquiry into the murder by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) or the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Replying to a question about terrorist Usmani's recent escape from the premises of a Mumbai court, Patil said that it happened purely due to negligence of the police.

"We have suspended two policemen," he said, adding that the police is not allowed to handcuff or tie the hands of the accused with ropes and these restrictions have complicated police procedures.