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In a plea filed by Mukta Dhabolkar who sought further monitoring by the high court, two accused had filed an application stating trial in the case had already commenced, therefore, further monitoring was not required.
A division bench of the Bombay High Court comprising Justice AS Gadkari and Justice PD Naik on Tuesday discontinued the court-monitored investigation into the murder of Narendra Dhabolkar.
"No further monitoring is required in view of the Supreme Court guidelines," the high court said.
Narendra Dabholkar was a rationalist and social activist known for his work in promoting scientific temper, rationalism, and skepticism in society.
Dabholkar was assassinated in 2013 by unknown assailants who were believed to be opposed to his work in exposing superstitions and promoting rationalism.
The Central Bureau of Investigation had taken over the case in 2015 after which 5 accused came to be arrested. The Bombay High Court started monitoring the investigation in 2015 and the trial of the case commenced in 2021.
Virendrasinh Tawade, one of the accused told the high court stating that monitoring by the high court need not be continued since the trial had already begun.
The Central Bureau of Investigation also informed the high court that its investigation had also been completed.
The court was also informed that out of 32 witnesses, only 8 witnesses were remaining to be examined.
Dabholkar was particularly known for his efforts to eradicate superstitions and blind beliefs, and for his advocacy of the Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and Other Inhuman, Evil, and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act, also known as the Anti-Superstition Act.
Dabholkar was the founder of the Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti (MANS), an organization dedicated to promoting rationalism and combating superstitions.
Case title: Mukta Dhabolkar vs CBI
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