Why hasn’t justice been served in the murder of Govind Pansare?

In India, the murder of Govind Pansare, a prominent leader of the Communist Party of India, remains a critical case of concern for law enforcement and the judicial system. On February 16, 2015, Pansare was shot while returning home from a morning walk in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, an incident that led to his death on February 20, 2015. His wife, who was with him during the attack, survived the shooting, but the case had left a deep impact on the social-political landscape, magnifying issues regarding political violence and the safety of dissenting voices in the country. Following the murder, the case underwent various phases of investigation, initially led by local police and later handed over to a special investigation team (SIT). By September 2015, SIT made the first arrest, marking the beginning of a long investigative process. Despite these developments, two accused, Sharad Kalaskar and Bikram Bhave, are currently facing trial while other key conspirators remain at large. The ongoing threat posed by these absconding individuals has prompted the family of Pansare to seek continued oversight of the investigation by the Bombay High Court. On a recent date, the Anti Terrorism Squad (ATS) informed the Bombay High Court about their decision to further investigate the absconding accused as requested by the family. Senior counsel Ashok Mundargi represented the ATS, assuring the court that they would rigorously pursue the case. Pansare's family, represented by Anand Grover, argued that since two main conspirators were still unaccounted for, it was essential for the court to keep monitoring the case to ensure justice was served. They highlighted that Sarang Akolkar, one escapee, was also implicated in the 2009 Goa blast, establishing a connection to a broader context of political violence in India. Past instances brought to the court's attention included the murders of rationalist Narendra Dabholkar, journalist Gauri Lankesh, and Kannada writer M M Kalburgi, all of which utilized the same weapon linked to the killings of Pansare and raise alarm bells over a possible organized effort to silence dissenters. The court seemed aware of the sensitivities involved and acknowledged the family's request to continue the ATS's monitoring of the investigation, indicating its significance not just for the Pansare case but for broader societal implications regarding safety and justice. As investigations resume, the case sheds light on the state of political dissent in modern India and the complexities involved in pursuing justice for individuals who challenge the status quo. The High Court's role in facilitating ongoing scrutiny illustrates a judiciary that is responsive to the demands of society for accountability, especially in cases tinted with political undertones like that of Govind Pansare.