MUMBAI: The special investigation team (SIT) of Maharashtra police interrogated Sanatan Sanstha founder Dr Jayant Balaji Athawale along with several of Sanatan members at their Ramnathi campus in Goa in connection with the murder of rationalist Dr Narendra Dabholkar and Govind Pansare.
"For last two days the SIT members are in the Ramnathi campus and have recorded statements of several members of the organisation," said Abhay Vartak, spokesperson of Sanatan Sanstha, while confirming the information. He, however, said that the investigating agencies are trying to defame the organisation as they have failed to conduct a proper probe.
Officers in plain clothes went to the ashram and recorded statement of the 75-year-old head of the organisation, police sources said, adding that this is the first time that the godman was formally quizzed.
It may be recalled that Dr Virendra Tawde, a member of Sanatan Sanstha is the prime accused in the Pansare murder case. A chargesheet too has been filed against Tawde, and police is now on lookout for Sarang Akolkar (35) and Vinay Pawar (37), whom Tawde has identified as the shooters.