Kolhapur : The Special Investigating Team (SIT) probing the murder of rationalist and Left leader Govind Pansare suspects role of two more Sanatan Sanstha members, who are absconding in connection with the 2009 Madgaon blast, in the case, police sources said on Monday.
The two suspects — Rudra Patil and Sarang Akolkar alias Kulkarni — are absconding since the Madgaon blast in which two activists of the Sanstha, Gonda Patil and Yogesh Naik, had succumbed to injuries when the improvised explosive devices they were carrying in a scooter — also owned by an outfit member — exploded prematurely at Madgaon in Goa on October 16, 2009.
“We also suspect Rudra as a prime accused in the Pansare murder case and have launched a manhunt to nab him,” a police officer said, on condition of anonymity.
Sanatan Sanstha member Samir Gaikwad was arrested last week while three others – one from Mumbai and two from Karnataka – were detained in connection with the case.
“Investigation into the call data records of Samir Gaikwad has shown that he was in constant touch with Rudra and both had recced the place of Pansare’s family in Kolhapur in January, a month before the CPI leader was shot dead,” the officer said.
