In what might be the biggest lead yet into establishing a common link in the murders of Kannada scholar MM Kalburgi in Dharwad in August, communist leader Govind Pansare in Kolhapur earlier this year, and rationalist Narendra Dabholkar in Pune in 2013, investigators have found evidence that the same weapon was used in all three crimes.

Forensic analysis of bullet cartridges recovered at the scene of all three crimes has revealed the same 7.65-mm country-made pistol was used. This revelation, which is made in a CID confidential report to the State government, comes close on the heels of the Centre denying any link between the three killings.

MINISTER SAID 'NO LINKS'

Union minister of state for home affairs, Kiren Rijiju, had on December 2 claimed during a parliamentary session there were no findings or reports indicating a link in the three killings.

However, the recent CID re port, the second in a row after a probe was ordered following the killing of Kalburgi at his Dharwad residence on August 30, has ob served there were several common factors, including the modus operandi and suspected group. In support of its `commonality' claim, the CID has observed there is sufficient evidence, though the same cannot be shared as the probe is at a crucial stage. A report has put together several findings by various teams probing the case. The `commonality' factor finds prominent mention in the report, hinting at the involvement of the same group too.

Motorcycle-borne assailants had pumped four bullets into Dabholkar, 69, from a 7.65-mm country-made pistol, while Pansare, 81, and his wife Uma Pansare were shot at with five bullets from two 7.65-mm country-made weapons. The same modus operandi was used in the Kalburgi case too.

SENSITIVE ISSUE, SAYS COP

“All the three cases were earlier being linked on the basis of the profile of the victims, probable motives, modus operandi. Now, investigation says a 7.65-mm country-made weapon was used for the killings with the cartridges providing the first physical evidence linking the murders,“ a senior police officer said.

When Bangalore Mirror contacted, CID Director General Kishore Chandra, he refused to comment on the matter saying it was a very sensitive issue and investigations were still on.