One arrested in connection with Govind Pansare's murder

MUMBAI: The spotlight has turned to the Sanathan Sanstha with one of its members arrested in connection with the murder of CPI leader Govind Pansare, police said.

In what could be a breakthrough in the case, the Kolhapur and Sangli police carried out a joint operation and arrested Sameer Gaikwad, a 32-year-old resident of Sangli, early this morning for his alleged involvement in the murder.

Pansare was killed by two bike-borne assailants who fired at him and his wife Uma while they were on their morning walk on February 16. Uma, who was seriously injured, survived the attack, which shook Maharashtra.

The attack followed the murder of rationalist Narendra Dabholkar in August 2013. Dabholkar was also shot by two bike-borne assailants while on his morning walk.

Gaikwad was produced in court and remanded to police custody until September 23.

Gaikwad allegedly belongs to the Sanathan Sanstha, a controversial and radical right-wing organisation, whose members had been booked for planting bombs outside an auditorium in Vashi in 2008.

Members of the organisation were also alleged to be involved in a blast in Goa in 2013. However, a National Investigation Agency court acquitted the accused.

IG Konkan Sanjeev Kumar told reporters that Gaikwad has been a full-time member of the Sanathan Sanstha since 1998. Gaikwad’s wife is currently staying at an ashram in Goa that belongs to the Sanstha.

Kumar said Gaikwad had been kept under electronic surveillance for six months and that he had revealed an important clue in the murder of Pansare, which the police are following up.