An independent witness who signed the crime scene inspection report or 'panchnama' following the murder of rationalist Dr Narendra Dabholkar had not actually visited the spot, the defense contended before the trial court here on Friday. Dabholkar, a noted anti-superstition activist, was shot dead on the Omkareshwar bridge in the city on August 20, 2013, while on morning walk.

Shyam Marne, one of the two 'panch' (independent) witnesses in whose presence officials of the Deccan Gymkhana police station purportedly carried out 'panchnama', testified before special UAPA judge S R Navandar. Marne told special prosecutor Prakash Suryawanshi that he saw a broken pair of spectacles and chappals and blood at the spot, besides four cartridges, two live and two empty.