KOLHAPUR: The daughter of rationalist Govind Pansare joined the growing chorus for a ban on right wing group Sanatan Sanstha suspected to be behind his murder and said she is satisfied with Maharashtra police probe into the killing.
Smita Pansare said that "looking at the investigation by police, we can say that the murder was not done by an individual but by a group."
82-year-old Pansare and his wife, Uma, were shot at by two youths on February 16, 2015, near their home here. Pansare died four days later at a hospital in Mumbai while his wife survived the attack, suffering injuries that crippled her.
Smita said "I am very much disappointed by the political response over banning Sanatan Sanstha. Had the Sanstha been banned when the demand was made first, my father would have been alive today."
Replying to a question, she told a TV channel that "yes, I'm satisfied with the investigation by the police. I want to appeal to the government that Sanstha should be banned."
Sanatan Sanstha activist Samir Gaikwad was arrested on September 16 from Sangli in Maharashtra in connection with Pansare's murder, following which Congress and NCP had demanded an immediate ban on the outfit.
Sanatan has ruled out its or Gaikwad's role in Pansare's murder.