Narendra Dabholkar

Two assailants fatally shot anti-superstition activist Narendra Dabholkar on August 20, 2013, while he was on a morning walk in Pune, Maharashtra

A special court for UAPA cases here is likely to pronounce the verdict in the murder case of rationalist Dr Narendra Dabholkar on Friday. Dabholkar (67), a well-known anti-superstition crusader, was shot dead while on a morning walk on Omkareshwar Bridge here on August 20, 2013. Additional sessions judge A A Jadhav of the special court for cases under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act is likely to pronounce the judgement on Friday, said special public prosecutor Prakash Suryawanshi. The prosecution examined 20 witnesses while the defence examined two witnesses during the trial. The accused were opposed to Dabholkar's crusade against superstition, the prosecution had stated in its final arguments. The case was initially probed by Pune Police. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) took over the probe in 2014 following a Bombay High Court order, and arrested Dr Virendrasinh Tawade, an ENT surgeon linked to the Hindu right-wing organisation Sanatan Sanstha, in June 2016. .

On the CBI's request seeking 14-day custody for both the accused, additional sessions court judge A V Rotte extended their remand till June 4

Dabholkar's death vitiates the movement against superstition, and took away the chance for greater nuance in a debate that is too often hijacked by extreme voices

Dabholkar was shot dead by two unidentified men while he was on a morning walk on Omkareshwar Bridge, Pune, on August 20, 2013

Hindu Janajagruti Samiti member Virendrasing Tawde will be produced before a special court in Pune this afternoon