Narendra Dabholkar Murder Case: Bombay HC Grants Bail To Convict Sachin Andure, Suspends Life Sentence Citing Weak Evidence

Mumbai's Bombay High Court has granted bail to Sachin Andure, convicted in the 2013 murder of rationalist Narendra Dabholkar. The bench, comprising Justices Sarang Kotwal and Ranjitsinha Bhonsale, suspended Andure's life sentence while his appeal is being heard. The court's order awaits further details. Andure, also implicated in the killing of activist Govind Pansare, can be released now as he has secured bail in both cases.

Dabholkar, 67, founded the Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti, an anti-superstition organization, and was shot dead while on a morning walk in Pune on August 20, 2013, allegedly by men linked to the radical group Sanatan Sanstha. The case initially was handled by the Deccan police station in Pune, but was later transferred to the CBI in 2014 following Mukta Dabholkar's petition.

The prosecution claims Andure was one of the shooters. In May 2024, the Sessions Court sentenced Andure and Sharad Kalaskar to life in prison for Dabholkar's murder, but acquitted them of charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Arms Act. Three others, including Tawde, Punalekar, and Bhave, were also acquitted due to lack of evidence.

The high court recently granted custody of a 3-year-old boy to his policewoman mother, with weekend visits allowed for his father.