Dabholkar, Gauri Lankesh murders linked, CBI tells court
Pune, Aug 26: In a significant development, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Sunday said it has established links between the murders of Pune-based rationalist Narendra Dabholkar and Bengaluru-based journalist Gauri Lankesh.
The CBI said it had established the crucial connection before the Shivajinagar Magistrate's Court in Pune to extend the police custody of one of the prime suspects, Sachin Andhure.
Accordingly, the custody of Andhure - arrested from Aurangabad last week - has been extended till August 30.
Medico and rationalist Dabholkar (67), who fought against superstitious beliefs through his Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti (MANS), was gunned down near his residence on the morning of June 20, 2013.
Two unidentified motorcycle borne assailants fired several rounds at him near the Omkareshwar temple in Pune.
Almost four years later, Gauri Lankesh (55), journalist-cum-activist, was shot dead outside her residence in Bengaluru on September 5, 2017.
She also served as the editor of 'Lankesh Patrike', a Kannada weekly launched by her father P. Lankesh, and also ran her own weekly called 'Gauri Lankesh Patrike.'
Though the two high-profile murders were committed four years apart, in both these cases, the long suspected alleged role of certain right-wing activists, including those associated with Sanatan Sanstha and others, has now emerged.
In its remand plea, the CBI has not yet named any organisation/s which could be involved in these cases.
The remand application adds that during interrogation, Andhure revealed that one of those arrested for the Gauri Lankesh murder had handed over to him a 7.65-mm country made pistol and three bullets.
Later, Andhure - arrested by the CBI last week - claimed he passed it on to his brother-in-law Subham Surale in Aurangabad, on August 11, 2018.
Surale in turn passed the weapon to his friend Rohit Rege in the same city, though the motives are not clear.
Andhure's name was revealed by Sharad Kalaskar, a resident of Nalasopara, Palghar, arrested by the Maharashtra ATS after a major arms haul there on August 10.
It was Andhure and Kalaskar himself who went on a motorcycle and shot Dabholkar that day, he (Kalaskar) revealed.
Now, armed with the fresh information, the CBI plans to seek Kalaskar's custody, after his remand with Maharashtra-ATS ends later this week.
The CBI will also apply for the remand of one of the accused arrested by the SIT of Karnataka police in the Lankesh killing besides making efforts to trace the missing motorcycle used in the Dabholkar murder in Pune.
"Some of the accused in the Gauri Lankesh case are connected with Sachin Andhure and Narendra Dabholkar's murder," the CBI remand application said, seeking the extension of Andhure's custody.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
What is Iran’s 10-point plan? Key demands ahead of US talks in Islamabad
Tehran/Islamabad: Iran has outlined a 10-point plan as the basis for upcoming talks with the United States, expected to begin in Islamabad on April 11, according to a statement from the Iranian Supreme National Security Council.
The plan lays out Tehran’s key political, military and economic demands, and is being seen as a framework for negotiations following the recent escalation in the region.
Strait of Hormuz at the centre
A major focus of the plan is the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route. Iran has proposed “controlled passage through the Strait of Hormuz in coordination with the Iranian armed forces,” which it says would give the country a unique economic and geopolitical position.
The plan also calls for the “establishment of a safe transit protocol” in the Strait that would guarantee Iran’s dominance under an agreed mechanism.
Call to end conflict
Iran has demanded “the necessity of ending the war against all elements of the axis of resistance,” signalling its expectation that hostilities should stop not only in Iran but also involving allied groups in the region.
US troop withdrawal
Another key demand is the “withdrawal of US combat forces from all bases and deployment points in the region,” indicating Tehran’s long-standing position against American military presence in West Asia.
Sanctions relief and compensation
The plan places strong emphasis on economic measures. It calls for “full payment of Iran’s damages according to estimates,” along with “the lifting of all primary and secondary sanctions and resolutions of the Board of Governors and the Security Council.”
It also seeks “the release of all Iranian assets and properties frozen abroad,” which have been a major point of contention for years.
Binding global guarantee
Finally, Iran has demanded that all these terms be formally recognised through “a binding Security Council resolution,” suggesting it wants international legal backing to ensure enforcement.
What this means
The 10-point plan reflects Iran’s broader push for security guarantees, economic relief and regional influence. The upcoming talks in Islamabad are expected to test how far both sides are willing to negotiate on these demands.
