Hindu group flays CBI for arresting member, counsel

Kolhapur: Sanatan Sanstha on Sunday lashed out at the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for arresting its Counsel Sanjeev Punalekar and member Vikram Bhave, in connection with the killing of rationalist Narendra Dabholkar.
Terming the arrest as a ‘big conspiracy,’ National Spokesperson of the Hindu outfit Chetan Rajhans alleged that the move was carried out, under the ‘influence’ of some progressive leaders.
He said that advocate Punalekar was instrumental in busting the myth of ‘saffron terror’ in the Malegaon blasts case and claimed that he has even filed many pleas for the benefit of the society.
“Mr Punalekar was innocent as he served the society and the nation, selflessly. Hence, all social workers, Hindu orginasations, advocates and patriots must stand in their support,” Rajhans added.
The national investigating agency had arrested the duo on Saturday from Mumbai and will produce them before a Pune-based court, designated for monitoring the CBI probe into the gunning down of 67-year-old Dabholkar on August 20, 2013.
Punalekar has represented the Sanatan Sanstha in a number of cases.
The lawyer also represented newly-elected MP from Bhopal, Pragya Singh Thakur, in the Malegaon blast case of 2008.
Punalekar is the fourth arrest made by the central agency in the case.
On August 20, 2013, Dabholkar was killed outside his Pune residence by two bike-borne assailants, during his morning walk at Onkareshwar Bridge in Pune. (UNI)