File picture of Dr Narendra Dabholkar.
The Bombay High Court has ordered a CBI probe in the Dr Narendra Dabholkar murder case. Mr Dabholkar, an anti-superstition activist, was shot dead by unknown assailants in Pune on August 20, 2013 in broad daylight.
So far the police have not made any progress in the case.
The court's order comes following a petition by activist and former journalist Ketan Tirodkar. Mr Tirodkar had pleaded that even if no allegations were made against authorities, the probe in a criminal case could be transferred to the CBI if it has national or international ramifications.
The sensational murder of rationalist Narendra Dabholkar created a nationwide furore. Of at least four bullets fired, two hit him in the neck and back. He died later at the government-run Sassoon Hospital.
Despite Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan announcing a reward of Rs 10 lakh for information about the killers, the police have notched no success in cracking the case.
Mr Dabholkar had rubbed many people the wrong way and had reportedly even received threats. His son Hamid said his father refused to register a complaint about the threats, saying he needed no weapons in his cause.
Two dozen probe teams and investigations across Maharashtra and neighbouring states are yet to yield any results.
The Pune police had earlier submitted case diaries and confidential reports to the court. The government had also informed that so far the main conspirators had not been arrested, and those, who were arrested, had got bail.
Mr Dabholkar's daughter Mukta, who has been allowed to intervene, had said the family wanted the High Court to monitor the probe. She had earlier demanded formation of a Special Investigating Team.
Mr Dabholkar was instrumental in pushing the state government to frame an anti-superstition law which was finally approved and passed as an ordinance a day after his murder and later passed by the state legislature in December 2013.
The new law seeks to eradicate black magic, blind faith, superstitious beliefs, rituals and sacrifices to drive out evil spirits or ensure male progeny, perpetrated by self-styled godmen and witchcraft and wizardry practitioners.