Narendra Dabholkar case: Virendra Tawade dodges questions, says CBI

Even as Virendra Tawade, an accused in the Dr Narendra Dabholkar murder case and also a Sanatan Sanstha member, refuses to co-operate with the investigating officials, he continues to be regular with his upasana (chanting of mantras), claimed sources. He has allegedly been observing upasana twice on a daily basis.

According to CBI officials, Tawade has been dodging questions that the officials have been asking him on the social activist’s murder case but he never missed out on reciting the shlokas even on a single day. Reciting the shlokas is a part of the Sanatan Sanstha’s teachings. Also, sources claimed that according to the organisation’s rules, Tawade has attained 61 per cent of spirituality, which is necessary to be recognised as a ‘saint’ by the organisation.

Tawade, who gets his breakfast, lunch and dinner from the canteen everyday, never touches it without chanting the shlokas, said a source. Commenting on this, a spokesperson from Sanatan Santha Abhay Vartak said, “ Reciting shlokas in a roiutine is a good thing and Tawade must recite the shlokas everyday. That’s what we teach in the ashram. Any person can do it anywhere during any time of the day.”

Meanwhile, some the CBI officials said that even though Tawade appears to be healthy, whenever the officers try to interrogate him, he “feigns” forgetfulness or giddiness. A few medical tests were conducted on him at JJ Hospital, the results of which were normal. The officers therefore believe that Tawade appears to understand and remember everything apart from the details of the Dabholkar murder case.

The SIT officials of Kolhapur and the CID team from Bengaluru (who are investigating MM Kalburgi case) had asked for Tawade’s custody to interrogate him and get some leads on the case. They are expected to get Tawade’s custody soon.

Tawade is the key accused in the Narendra Dabholkar murder case. He was arrested on June 11 under the charge of murder. A local court in Pune, extended his custody to the Central Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI) till June 20.