The Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti, or MANS, the group Dr. Dabholkar founded, immediately voiced their 'deep concern' over the Bombay High Court decision to grant bail to Sachin Andure and suspend his life sentence pending appeal.
Dr. Dabholkar was a rationalist activist and MANS founder. His murder in August 2013 led to the convictions of Andure and Sharad Kalaskar, who both received life sentences. The convictions are under appeal.
Trupti Desai, a lawyer and MANS activist, said, "The bail has been given when the court is still hearing an appeal in the case. The final verdict is still pending and it may change."
MANS said the trial court had convicted Andure and Kalaskar on the basis of the evidence presented before it. The organisation questioned the timing of the bail shortly before the anniversary of Dr. Dabholkar's death and expressed concern that the investigation into the larger conspiracy had not progressed as expected.
MANS said Dr. Dabholkar's murder was not merely the killing of an individual but an attack on rational thought, scientific temper, freedom of expression and constitutional values. It demanded that the entire conspiracy be exposed.
"Today's decision causes pain, but it will not deter us," the organisation said, adding that its activists would continue their campaign against superstition, violence and obscurantism through constitutional and legal means. The organisation also said it respected the judiciary and would study the High Court order before deciding on further legal steps.
