Bombay HC transfers probe into 2015 Govind Pansare killing to ATS – Times of India

MUMBAI: The Bombay high court on Wednesday transferred the investigation into the February 2015 killing of CPI leader Govind Pansare from the special investigation team (SIT) of Maharashtra police to the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS).
“We are allowing your application and transferring the investigation to ATS,” said Justices Revati Mohite-Dere and Sharmila Deshmukh, adding that they would pass an order. The application by Pansare’s daughter Smita and daughter-in-law Megha had urged the high court for transfer of probe to ATS as the SIT had made no headway since 2015.
Pansare was shot on February 16, 2015, in Kolhapur and died on February 20, 2015, in a Mumbai hospital. On September 9, 2015, the high court was informed that the SIT of state CID under the leadership of additional DGP, CID, Crime, Pune was formed. On Monday, special public prosecutor Ashok Mundargi, for SIT, said it could be changed entirely for having a fresh look at the case. He also said the state has no objection to transfer of the probe to the ATS as it is also a state agency. The judges then asked if an officer of ATS could join the SIT instead.
On Wednesday, Mundargi reiterated, “Either way we are agreeable. ATS can be appointed. Two-three officers of SIT can join the ATS.” To the judges’ query, Mundargi replied that the additional DG (ATS) will supervise the team.
Advocate Abhay Nevagi said Pansare family’s “purpose is served”. He said their concern is that the masterminds of the killing are not identified. He said the SIT had earlier told the high court that 40 persons are on the hit list, including family members of Pansare and slain rationalist Narendra Dabholkar, and their security is enhanced. The judges declined to hear a petition to intervene on behalf of three accused. Mundargi opposed it saying “an accused cannot have a say on where the investigation goes and should be interested in a speedy trial.” Nevagi said a similar plea was dismissed earlier too.
On Monday, Nevagi argued that the ATS had made a breakthrough in the Nallasopara arms haul case. Disclosures by the accused showed links between Pansare and Dabholkar killings, and even of writer MM Kalburgi and journalist Gauri Lankesh in Karnataka. “We (Pansare family) feel ATS is the appropriate agency to take it (the probe) to a logical conclusion. ATS can make a difference,” Nevagi added.