Dr. Virendra Singh Tawde, a resident of Panvel in Maharashtra, is an ear and throat specialist by profession and had come under the CBI's scanner during the probe into the murder.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested the chief coordinator of the Hindu Janjagruti Samiti (HGS) for his alleged role in the killing of rationalist Dr. Narendra Dabholkar on Friday.
The arrest comes more than a week after the probe agency revealed that its investigators had found 'cyber forensic evidence' against HGS chief Dr. Virendra Singh Tawde. Agency sources said that Tawde was interrogated on Friday evening and was taken into custody at around 8.30 pm. "He (Tawde) will be produced at the designated court in Pune on Saturday," said a CBI official.
Tawde, a resident of Panvel in Maharashtra, is an ear and throat specialist by profession and had come under the CBI's scanner during the probe into Dr. Dabholkar's murder. Sources told dna that a phone used by Tawde had been operational in the area where Dr Dhabolkar was gunned down during his morning walk on the Omkareshwar Bridge in Pune in August 2013. The Bombay High Court had transferred the probe to the CBI on May 9, 2014.
The probe agency conducted raids at the residence of Tawde and claimed to have recovered several mobile phones and SIM cards. According to agency officials, Tawde's name had cropped up along with another individual identified as Sarang Akolkar – who is believed to be a Sanatan Sanstha activist and has been absconding following his alleged role in the 2009 Goa blast.
Akolkar is also wanted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in the Goa blast case and a red-corner notice was also issued against his name by the Interpol. Two suspected members of Sanatan Sanstha were killed in the 2009 blast after a bomb they were carrying on a scooter accidentally went off.
Hindu Janjagruti Samiti, which was formed in October 2002, and Sanatan Sanstha share close ties and have been working together for quite some time now.
CBI sleuths are also looking past activities of Tawde and it is likely that members of the two groups will be questioned by the probe agency soon, sources said.
In the 2008 'fifth mega conference' held for all Hindu sects, Tawde had been quoted saying, "The lack of Dharma Shikshan, Dharmabhiman and unshakable faith has lead to such a pathetic state of Hindus. The Dharma is being attacked from all sides but the Hindus are still not awake. This demands at least a counter argument, if not an actual fight for every attack on Hindu Dharma. This will lead to widespread awakening.The Anti- Hindu government is trying to ban Sanatan which is involved in Dharmashikshan for the Hindus, an action which needs to be strongly condemned. Have you ever noticed the same people asking a ban on SIMI? Such a government needs to be shown its place now."
His organisation, through its official website, has detailed articles and opinions regarding many issues including that of cow slaughter, love jihad, defamation of Hindu saints, conversion to other religions and so on.
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