Sangli, Maharashtra: Right-wing activist Sameer Gaikwad, accused of being a “co-conspirator” in the 2015 murder of rationalist and author Govind Pansare, passed away early Tuesday in Sangli district. Gaikwad, 43, an alleged member of Sanatan Sanstha, had been granted bail in 2017 and was residing at his home in Sangli.
He was rushed to a local hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival. According to police, preliminary reports indicate cardiac arrest as the cause of death, but officials are awaiting the postmortem report for confirmation. Authorities added there was no suspicion of foul play.
Pansare, a well-known rationalist, was shot on February 16, 2015, in Kolhapur and succumbed to his injuries on February 20. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed to probe the case had arrested Gaikwad in September 2015. The SIT chargesheet had described him as a “co-conspirator” and alleged his involvement, along with other Sanatan Sanstha activists, in the murder of Pansare.
Gaikwad’s death marks the latest development in one of Maharashtra’s high-profile cases involving the targeted killing of a rationalist, which drew nationwide attention and prompted widespread investigations.
