Pansare's family demands that Maha govt hand over case to CBI

Days after CBI arrested a right wing activist in connection with Narendra Dabholkar murder case, family members of Govind Pansare today demanded Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to transfer the case of the CPI veteran's killing too to the central agency for a speedy probe.
"The arrest of Dr Virendra Tawade, who is a member of the Sanatan Sanstha by CBI in Dabholkar murder case has prompted us to request Government of Maharashtra with a plea to hand over the case to CBI, as it is appropriate for CBI to take over the case so that uniform investigation can be conducted along with Dr Dabholkar murder case," Pansare's wife and daughter-in-law, Uma and Megha respectively, said in their joint plea to Fadnavis.

While pushing for their demand, the two contended that the CBI officials suspect that the same group of people were involved in the murders of Dabholkar and Pansare.
"In the investigation it has also appeared that there is a common nexus between the murders of the rationalists as there was a use of similar weapons and a common modus operandi involving the members of Sanatan Sanstha. Hence, we are requesting the transfer of this murder case to CBI," they added.
Uma and Megha further said that investigation by one agency essential for a "transparent, fair and quick" conclusion. They noted the CBI has already made progress in the investigation and is well aware of the facts of the case.

Therefore, under the interest of justice it is necessary to hand over the investigation to CBI, they added.

Appreciating Fadnavis' "full co-operation and support" in the probe until now, they duo requested him to also depute state government officers to assist the CBI in the case.
Uma and Megha stated that the special investigation team (SIT), which has been investigating the matter, too can assist the CBI in probing the matter.
The duo though rued that the probe by SIT until now has been slow and said that they repeatedly requested the team officials on visiting Goa-based ashram of Sanatan Sanstha, members who are alleged to be involved in Pansare's murder case, but there was no response.

"However, it has been observed that the SIT has
completely stopped functioning since few months. There have been transfers of a number of high profile police officers... this sensitive case has been handled by relatively young officers who have been in service for barely three to four years. We are under the impression that the SIT and the Maharashtra police are not serious about the investigations," they complained.
Noting that the Maharashtra Government had in the recent past taken suo moto cognisance and transferred Sheena Bora murder case to CBI, they hoped the Chief Minister considers their request "immediately".
Pansare and his wife were attacked by motorcycle-borne assailants on February 16 last year when they were taking stroll near their residence in Kolhapur.

Pansare succumbed to his injuries on February 20th in Mumbai, while Uma recovered from the attack but remains under medication and is recuperating at her home.