Dabholkar murder accused was in touch with 2009 Goa blast suspect: CBI

Hindu Janjagruti Samiti (HJS) leader Dr Virendra Tawde, who was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for the alleged murder of rationalist Narendra Dabholkar, was reportedly in touch with Sarang Akolkar, the prime accused in the 2009 Goa blast.

Tawde, an ENT specialist by profession, is based out of Panvel and was designated as a Sanatan speaker. His arrest comes more than a week after the CBI raided his residence and claimed to have recovered sim cards and mobile phones.

Dabholkar, who founded the Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti, was murdered on August 20, 2013, in Pune.

While CBI sources said that though the exact role played by Tawde in Dabholkar's murder is not clear, investigators have found out that he was in touch with Akolkar through emails.

Akolkar, a member of Sanatan Sanstha, has been absconding for over seven years and is wanted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). There is also a red-corner notice against him by the Interpol. Two suspected members of the Sanatan Sanstha were killed in the 2009 Goa blast after a bomb they were carrying on a scooter accidentally went off.

Agency sources told dna that the arrest was based on a 'scrutiny of cyber forensic evidence'. He was produced in a city court and remanded in police custody till June 16.

"When confronted with the evidence, Tawde was not able to provide proper explanations in multiple questioning sessions, following which he was taken into custody," said a CBI source.
Meanwhile, the HJS maintained Tawde's innocence and said that it will stand by him.