{
  "id": 1797442,
  "title": "MANS Expresses Concern After Bombay HC Grants Bail To Sachin Andure In Dr Narendra Dabholkar Murder Case",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/mans-expresses-concern-after-bombay-hc-grants-bail-to-sachin-andure",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-18T20:31:30.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/mans-expresses-concern-after-bombay-hc-grants-bail-to-sachin-andure-in-dr-narendra-dabholkar-murder-case"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti (MANS) has expressed deep disappointment following the Bombay High Court's decision to grant bail to Sachin Andure, convicted in Dr. Narendra Dabholkar's murder case, while suspending his life sentence pending the hearing of his appeal. The organization's activists and followers of the anti-superstition movement are deeply concerned over this decision. MANS emphasizes that granting bail or suspending a sentence does not imply declaring a convicted person innocent. However, they have expressed concerns over the timing of this relief, as the bail was granted when the court is still hearing an appeal in the case, and the final verdict is yet to be determined. Dr. Dabholkar, a rationalist and MANS founder, was shot dead in Pune in August 2013. The special court subsequently convicted Andure and Sharad Kalaskar, sentencing them to life imprisonment, with their convictions currently under appeal. MANS believes that the trial court's conviction was based on the evidence presented, and that the appeal proceedings are still pending before the High Court. They also question the bail and suspension of Andure's sentence, which occurred shortly before the anniversary of Dr. Dabholkar's death. The organization further alleges that the investigation into the larger conspiracy behind Dr. Dabholkar's murder has not progressed as expected, and that the mastermind and wider conspiracy have not been fully exposed. MANS mourns the loss of Dr. Dabholkar's murder as an attack on rational thought, scientific temper, freedom of expression, and constitutional values. They demand that the entire conspiracy be exposed and all those responsible be held accountable according to the law. Despite today's decision causing pain, MANS firmly states that it will not deter them, as they will continue their campaign against superstition, violence, and obscurantism through constitutional and legal means. The organization also respects the judiciary and will study the High Court order before deciding on further legal steps.",
  "summary": "The Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti (MANS) has expressed disappointment over the Bombay High Court’s decision to grant bail to Sachin Andure, who was convicted in the murder of rationalist and MANS founder Dr Narendra Dabholkar, and suspend his life sentence pending the hearing of his appeal. MANS said the decision had caused “deep concern” among its activists and followers of the…",
  "key_points": [
    "Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti (MANS) disappointed by bail grant to Sachin Andure.",
    "Bail and life sentence suspension pending appeal hearing in Dr. Dabholkar murder case.",
    "MANS criticizes timing of relief, questions broader conspiracy investigation."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}