An angle of “Larger Conspiracy” to be looked into in the killings of Dabholkar, Pansare, Kalburgi and Lankesh; Supreme Court instructs CBI

The Supreme Court has instructed the CBI to examine an angle of conspiracy in the killings of rationalist Narendra Dabholkar, activist Govind Pansare, writer M.M. Kalburgi and journalist Gauri Lankesh. The division bench hearing a plea filed by Narendra Dabolkars’ daughter Mukta comprised of Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Sudhanshu Dhulia. This plea challenges the Bombay High Courts’ decision to stop monitoring any further developments in the investigation of this murder case.

As reported by Live Law, the bench hearing the plea asked Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for the CBI, that on the basis of the documents filed by Dabholker’s daughter, the Central Bureau of Investigation could look into a larger issue of conspiracy, centering on his murder.

It has been alleged by Anand Grover, the senior advocate representing Mukta that the CBI investigation was not complete and the subsequent findings were not conclusive when the Bombay High Court passed its order. “Even perfunctory evidence indicated that the murders of Govind Pansare, Dr. Narendra Dabholkar, Professor MM Kalburgi, and Gauri Lankesh are interconnected,” said Anand Grover. Senior Advocate Anand Grover further added that the absconding accused is yet to be arrested, despite which, the case was closed.

The Additional Solicitor General when questioned about a “larger conspiracy”, stated that amongst 5 people who were accused, there isn’t enough evidence against 3 of them, and as per reports, the two others are not entirely connected to the incident. The bench asked the CBI for a clarification, wanting to know if there is a common thread between all those who have been accused.