Murder of "Right to Information" activist.

BJP MP behind murder: RTI activists' family

Agencies
New Delhi, July 21, 2010

First Published: 13:11 IST(21/7/2010)
Last Updated: 13:14 IST(21/7/2010)

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A day after leading Right to Information (RTI) activist Amit Jethwa was shot dead in Ahmedabad on Tuesday night, his family today alleged BJP MP behind his murder. Jethwa's family accused BJP MP from Junagadh, Dinu Solanki, for foul play and said that he was behind the murder. Talking to reporters, Bhiku Jethwa, Amit's father said, "I strongly suspect that Dinu Solanki is behind my son's murder. Because he has threatened me on telephone. He also threatened Amit many times. Amit was threatened in Kodinar and Khamba towns in front of large crowds, a thousand strong. But nobody dared to report the matter."

According to eyewitnesses, Jethwa, who was seriously injured, pounced on the two, toppling them from the motor cycle and tried to hold them on Tuesday. The two, however, fled leaving behind their motorcycle, the revolver and a bag.

Jethwa died on the spot even as an ambulance was being called. His body has been moved to the government civil hospital for autopsy, a police official said.

Jethwa, who was also president of the Gir Nature club, had only recently filed a public interest lawsuit in the high court against the mining mafia operating in the Sasan Gir area.

Among other cases taken up by Jethwa was the appointment of two additional information commissioners to hear RTI appeals which had piled up. This was accomplished after the court's intervention. He had also sought the court's intervention for filling up the long vacant post of Lok Ayukta (ombudsman) in the state. (a hindustan times report)

(With IANS inputs)