In a new twist in the murder case of rationalist Govind Pansare, documents seized from Samir Gaikwad, the accused under arrest in connection with the case, reportedly indicate a link between the murders of rationalist Narendra Dabholkar and noted scholar M.M. Kalburgi.

Investigating officials seized a bunch of diaries from Gaikwad, who is a member of the right-wing Hindu group Sanatan Sanstha, and found several mobile numbers.

“We have shared all information. Mr. Gaikwad had noted down many mobile numbers in his diaries, which we traced. Many of the numbers were already on our radar and we are working on it,” an officer told The Hindu, while adding that this hinted at a connection between the three murders.

While a Special investigation Team of the Maharasthra police is looking into the Pansare case, the Dabholkar murder case is being investigated by the CBI, while the Karnataka police are investigating the Kalburgi's murder.

While Dabholkar was shot dead in 2013 on the Omkareshwar bridge in Pune, 82-year-old Pansare was shot in a similar manner in March this year.

Kalburgi on the other hand, was shot dead when he opened the door to his house on August 30 this year.