Two detained in Goa for Dabholkar murder

PANAJI: Pune Crime Branch has taken into custody two persons from Goa for questioning in connection with the murder of noted rationalist Narendra Dabholkar. The duo, hiding at a feast venue at Old Goa near here, was detained on December 3, Goa Deputy Inspector General of Police O P Mishra said today. The operation to track down the suspects, said to be sharp shooters hailing from Mumbai whose names were not revealed, was jointly conducted by Pune and Goa Police, he said.

The detention was made at a village housing cluster of churches, where the annual feast of St Francis Xavier is going on. The duo was picked up from a stall, Mishra said. Both were taken immediately to Pune, where the 68-year old anti-superstition activist was gunned down by unidentified assailants on August 20.

Pune Police have failed to achieve a breakthrough in the case so far and Dabholkar's family is pushing for a CBI inquiry. Earlier it was suspected that right-wing outfits were behind the murder of Dabholkar, who waged a relentless campaign for enactment of a strong anti-superstition and black magic law in Maharashtra.

However, late last month, Pune Police told Bombay High Court there was no evidence suggesting involvement of right- wing extremists in the killing of Dabholkar. The HC was hearing a petition seeking NIA probe into the murder.