Well-known Marathi journalist Nikhil Wagle has refused an offer of security from the Maharashtra police after reports that he may be the next target of right-wing groups suspected in the murder of rationalist Govind Pansare.


Sameer Gaikwad, who was recently arrested from Sangli in connection to Pansare's murder is alleged to have made statements saying that Wagle was the next target in phone conversations accessed by the police.


Pansare was gunned down outside his home in Sagar Mala locality of Kolhapur city when he was out for a morning walk. His murder was part of a recent spate of attacks on rationalists across the country.


Gaikwad, a member of the Sanatan Sanstha, the extremist group suspected to be behind the killing of Mr Pansare, is allegedly heard in phone conversations saying that Wagle is the next target after Pansare.


Gaikwad was arrested in Maharashtra after his phone was placed under surveillance.


CPI leader Govind Pansare was shot and killed in February this year when he was out for a morning walk in his hometown of Kolhapur, in the south west of Maharashtra.