Bombay High Court Grants Bail to Convict in Narendra Dabholkar Murder Case

Mumbai– The Bombay High Court on Wednesday granted bail to Sharad Kalaskar, a convict in the 2013 murder case of rationalist Narendra Dabholkar.

A bench comprising Justices Ajey Gadkari and Ranjitsinha Bhonsale allowed bail on a surety of ₹50,000. The court declined the prosecution’s request to stay the operation of the bail order. A detailed copy of the order is expected later.

Kalaskar, who was sentenced to life imprisonment by a sessions court on May 10, 2024, has challenged his conviction before the high court. With bail now granted, he can be released after completing the required formalities.

The case relates to the killing of Dabholkar, founder of the Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti, who was shot dead by two motorcycle-borne attackers during a morning walk in Pune on August 20, 2013.

The investigation was initially handled by local police but was later transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation in 2014 following a petition by his daughter.

In the 2024 verdict, the court convicted Kalaskar and Sachin Andure, while acquitting others due to lack of evidence. The accused were also cleared of charges under stringent laws such as the Unlawful Activities Act and the Arms Act.

Kalaskar is also facing trial in the murder case of communist leader Govind Pansare and had earlier secured bail in that case as well.

The Dabholkar killing marked the beginning of a series of attacks on rationalists, including MM Kalburgi and journalist Gauri Lankesh, raising concerns about targeted violence against activists.