In the Govind Pansare murder case, the Bombay High Court decided to end its monitoring of the investigation and has called for a quick trial. The court noted that the only remaining task was locating two absconding accused, which no longer required court oversight. The decision emphasizes the progress made in the case and directs that the trial proceed without further delays. The focus now shifts to completing the legal process speedily.
Mumbai: The Bombay High Court decided to stop monitoring the investigation into the 2015 murder of Communist Party of India (CPI) leader Govind Pansare.
A Bench consisting of Justices AS Gadkari and Kamal Khata noted that the only remaining task for the investigation agency is to locate two absconding suspects, concluding that court monitoring is unnecessary.
They stated,
“It is clear to us that the only aspect left to be investigated is the tracing of the absconding two accused… Monitoring of the investigation by this Court is not necessary,”
The Bench subsequently dismissed a plea from some of the accused, seeking to end the High Court’s observance of the case.
Read Also: [Govind Pansare Murder Case] ‘No further Investigation Needed’: Bombay High Court
However, the Court directed the trial court to expedite proceedings, mandating that hearings be held on a daily basis.
Pansare was shot by revolutionaries in February 2015 near his home in Kolhapur and died from his injuries five days later. His daughter, Smita Pansare, approached the High Court expressing concerns over the slow progress of the investigation.
She argued that there is a larger conspiracy linking the murders of Pansare and other activists, including Narendra Dabholkar, MM Kalburgi, and Gauri Lankesh, suggesting that a common mastermind is behind these attacks.
Initially, a special investigation team (SIT) from the Crime Investigation Department of the State Police conducted the inquiry into Pansare’s murder. In August 2022, the High Court transferred the case to the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) for further investigation.
In India, murder is defined under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which covers the unlawful killing of a person with the intent or knowledge that the act would likely result in death. The punishment for murder, as per Section 302, can either be life imprisonment or the death penalty, depending on the severity of the crime and the motive behind it.
Factors like the accused’s intent, premeditation, the victim’s vulnerability, and any remorse shown can influence the court’s decision. The death penalty is usually reserved for the “rarest of rare” cases, where the crime is exceptionally brutal or cruel. Life imprisonment may be imposed in less severe cases. If the murder involves aggravated circumstances such as extreme cruelty or terrorism, it may lead to stricter punishment.
The death penalty is governed by Section 354(3) of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), which mandates the court to provide specific reasons for awarding it. Convictions in murder cases can be appealed in higher courts, including the High Court or Supreme Court, and the punishment is based on the seriousness of the crime and the intent behind it.
Govind Pansare was an important leader of the Communist Party of India (CPI) and a well-respected social and political activist in India. He strongly supported secularism, socialism, and the rights of disadvantaged groups in society. He also worked against communalism and the discrimination based on caste.
Sadly, Govind Pansare was killed on February 20, 2015, in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, along with his wife, Uma. It is believed that his murder was because of his outspoken views and activism, especially against right-wing groups. His death shocked the country, and the investigation into the murder highlighted the need for better protection of free speech and the safety of activists in India.
Pansare’s legacy still inspires many social and political activists, particularly those fighting for secularism, social justice, and equality.
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