Dabholkar murder: Calling it rumour, Maria denies any arrest in case

Playing down the arrest of arms dealer Salim Baig by Mumbai ATS, the officers said he was nabbed for jumping parole and under the Arms Act and not in connection with the murder of anti-superstition crusader Dr Narendra Dabholkar.

Nashik: Playing down the arrest of arms dealer Salim Baig by Mumbai Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), the officers said that he was nabbed for jumping parole and under the Arms Act and not in connection with the murder of anti-superstition crusader Dr Narendra Dabholkar.

Rubbishing the rumours, state ATS chief Rakesh Maria said, “We have neither arrested nor detained anyone in connection with the Dabholkar murder case.”

According to the Pune police sources, Baig is wanted by the police of Pune city and rural areas in Ahmednagar and Thane. He is said to be associated with the arrested Jungli Maharaj (JM) Road serial blasts case suspect Bunty Jehagirdar.

According to a police source, Baig is a resident of Shrirampur and has been involved in chain snatching, thefts, assault, murder, attempt to murder and various cases under the Arms Act for the past seven years.

A senior police officer said, “Baig is a close aide of Jehagirdar and the duo has been operating for several years in different parts of the state.”

It was said that Baig had fired a few rounds of bullets to eliminate the family of Shirdi-based notorious goon Papya Shaikh. However, Papya’s two-year-old son was killed in the firing. After this incident, Baig became notorious for shooting people for money in Ahmednagar district, the officer said.

Police are said to have recovered weapon from Baig on Thursday night.

We will crack the case soon: Pol

Pune police commissioner Gulabrao Pol claimed that they will ‘crack’ the sensitive murder case of anti-superstition crusader Dr Narendra Dabholkar before the Ganeshotsav ends.

Confirming a major development in the case, Pol said, “We will crack the case soon.” Pune police top brass claim to have narrowed down to probing specific angles after working on many theories in the murder case.

Assistant commissioner of police (crime - II) and investigating officer Rajendra Bhambre said, “We are heading in the right direction and investigating on specific leads.”

A crime branch source said that the killers might not have used phones while executing the operation in the city as the police have not found any ‘clue’ from call details. “Still, it would be premature to say at this juncture,” the officer said.

Fear statement?

The Pune rural police on Thursday night had picked up one person in connection with the Dabholkar murder case. However, the suspect, who had reportedly told the officer his connection in the case, latter claimed to have given the ‘false statement’ in fear.

MANS stages protest, demands arrest of killers

The Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmulan Samiti (MANS) activists staged demonstration at the district collectorate on Friday, demanded immediate arrest of those involved in the killing of Narendra Dabholkar.

The agitation was led by MANS state secretary Milind Deshmukh and Rajan Dandekar. The activists displayed placards condemning Dabholkar’s killing and pressing for the arrest of the perpetrators of the crime.

Later, the activists submitted a memorandum to the district collector Vikas Deshmukh questioning the law and order situation in the city. They also demanded that there is a need to sensitize and train government employees at various levels so that the anti-black magic law is enforced in its true spirit and exploitation of poor people could be prevented.

DNA/ Sandip Dighe /Vaishali Balajiwale

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