The Bombay High Court today rejected the bail plea of Samir Gaikwad, held in connection with the murder of veteran communist leader and rationalist Govind Pansare, saying there was prima facie ample evidence to link him with the crime.

The bail plea of Gaikwad, a member of right wing group "Sanathan Sanstha", was rejected by Justice C V Bhadang, who said there was direct evidence of an eye witness and corroborative circumstantial evidence to show alleged involvement of the accused in Pansare's murder.

The high court referred to a purported telephonic conversation Gaikwad had with a woman in which he had confessed to have killed Pansare. The prosecution cited this to suggest involvement of Gaikwad in the crime.