Residents of Akshay Plaza apartment in Pimpri Chinchwad were shocked when they found out that Amol Kale, one of their neighbours, has been arrested in connection with the Gauri Lankesh case in Karnataka.

Coming from a moderate family, Kale was associated with Hindu Janajagruti Sanstha, but had stopped actively participating in HJS's activities over the past few years.

According to sources, during his college days, he got associated with Hindu Janajagruti Sanstha (HJS) and participated in various rallies and agitations organised by the organisation.

However, Ramesh Shinde, national spokesperson of HJS, said: "Kale was working for our organisation, but ten years ago, he told us that it was not possible for him to work for us anymore and after that he stopped participating in our activities".

Kale, a 37-year-old PCMC resident, along with Amit Digwekar from Sindhudurg and Manohar Edave from Karnataka have been named as accused in the Gauri Lankesh case. Currently, the trio are in the remand of Karnataka SIT.

According to Maharashtra police, they did not have the information of Kale and Digwekar's arrest as their arrest was made in Davanagere district of Karnataka. Deputy commissioner of police, Pune (Zone III), told DNA: "Though Kale is a resident of Chinchwad area, he was arrested in Karnataka under Attempt to Murder and Arms Act on May 21. The Karnataka SIT later on May 31 sought his custody in Gauri Lankesh murder case".

According to the police, in the last week of May, police personnel from Karnataka SIT had visited Chinchwad, where they had carried out searches at Kale's house and seized some documents.

However, Pune police maintained that they have no information about the searches as SIT did not inform them. Even Sindhudurg police claimed that they have no information about Digwekar's arrest.

However, following the arrests of Kale and Digwekar, the agencies in Maharashtra are now trying to dig out more information about them.

According to police, Kale has been staying in Chinchwad area along with his family for quite a long time. However, most of the time, he would be travelling to Karnataka. Kale's father runs a paan stall.

Kale's neighbours and family members are in shock after his arrest. his wife however she refused to comment on the issue.