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.
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Indian men's team clinches inaugural Kho Kho World Cup title after women's victory
New Delhi: The Indian men's team beat Nepal 54-36 in the final to win the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup title here on Sunday.
The Indian men's team title came after the women's side were also crowned the champions after defeating Nepal in the final.
The Men in Blue dominated the final against Nepal with captain Pratik Waikar and tournament standout Ramji Kashyap leading from the front.
Attacking first, an exceptional sky dive by Ramji Kashyap got Nepal's Suraj Pujara. Suyash Gargate then touched Bharat Sahu to give India a great start with 10 points in just four minutes.
Sky dives were the name of the game for the Men in Blue, and this ensured a bright start for the side in Turn 1, preventing the Dream Run for their opponents. At the end of the turn, the scoreline was 26-0 in favour of the Indians.
In Turn 2, Nepal were not able to match India's levels but did prevent the home side from going on a single Dream Run.
Aditya Ganpule and skipper Pratik Waikar carried the team through this turn, and despite regular touches from the likes of Janak Chand and Suraj Pujara, India carried a 26-18 lead into the second half of the clash.
India were in their stride in Turn 3, displaying unwavering confidence throughout. Captain Pratik Waikar shone on the mat with multiple sky dives, and with the support of Ramji Kashyap, another star of the tournament.
Aditya Ganpule was also at his finest, and the home team's collective effort took the score to 54-18 entering the final turn of the match -- and the tournament.
Nepal fought hard in Turn 4 in their bid to come back against India. But the defenders, once again led by Pratik Waikar and Sachin Bhargo proved too strong. Mehul and Suman Barman were equally impressive.
India showcased their dominance throughout the tournament, beginning with convincing victories over Brazil, Peru and Bhutan in the group stages. Their momentum continued through the knockout rounds, where they outclassed Bangladesh in the quarterfinals before overcoming a strong South African side in the semifinals.
MEN'S & WOMEN'S KHO KHO TEAM WON THE WORLD CUP
— SPORTS ARENA🇮🇳 (@SportsArena1234) January 19, 2025
Men's Kho Kho Team won the title defeating 🇳🇵 54-36.
Women's Kho Kho Team clinched the World Cup title defeating 🇳🇵 74-40. pic.twitter.com/9ruJ79IKJ6
