Court Ceases Oversight in Govind Pansare Murder Case

The Bombay High Court has decided to end its oversight of the 2015 Govind Pansare murder investigation. Instead, it instructed the Kolhapur sessions court to expedite daily hearings of the case. The ATS report suggests all investigative angles are explored except for arresting two absconding accused.

The Bombay High Court announced on Thursday that it will cease monitoring the investigation into the 2015 murder of rationalist Govind Pansare, deeming further oversight unnecessary. The court pinpointed the capture of two absconding suspects as the remaining investigative requirement.

In a decision by Justices A S Gadkari and Kamal Khata, the court emphasized that the Anti-Terrorism Squad's report shows all avenues have been pursued in the examination of the case. The bench stated that ongoing court supervision solely for apprehending the missing suspects is unwarranted.

The High Court has guided the Kolhapur sessions court to accelerate the case's trial and conduct daily hearings. Initial investigations by the Crime Investigation Department's Special Investigation Team were later passed to the ATS. Despite family concerns over trial delays, 28 witnesses have been examined as of December 2024.

(With inputs from agencies.)