Kalburgi killing: CID pins hopes on Tawde's custody

Bengaluru: The view of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) that there’s a common thread among the murders of three rationalists – Dr M.M. Kalburgi in Dharwad in August last year, Dr Narendra Dabholkar in Pune in August 2013 and CPI leader Govind Pansare in Kolhapur in February 2015, stands vindicated after sources in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which is probing Dabholkar case and Maharashtra SIT, which is investigating the Pansare murder reportedly stated that same firearm and motorcycle were used by assailants in the killing of the two Maharashtra rationalists.

“The CID had observed a commonality in all the three murders based on forensic and scientific evidence, most importantly the ballistic reports of the three murders. It is too premature to say whether the motorbike, which is said to be used in the Maharashtra cases, was also used in Dr Kalburgi case.”said an official source.

 “The CID or the other two agencies have not found the bike/s so far. Hence proving that same vehicle was used in all the three cases will be difficult unless they locate them,” he added. According to unconfirmed sources, the CBI has reportedly found that Tawde’s motorcycle was used in the two Maharashtra murders.

Meanwhile, the CID has applied for the custody of Virendra Tawde – the Panvel-based ENT surgeon and member of the Sanathan Sanstha, who is allegedly the first big catch in the three murders. He is now in the custody of the SIT in connection with Pansare murder case.

“The CID is awaiting his interrogation report from the CBI. His custodial interrogation will hopefully help in cracking the Kalburgi case,” the officer added.