RTI activist attacked; politicians, officials on run
DIU – Jaisukh Bambhania wanted to expose racket involved in issuing licence to bike vendors and construction of a restaurant on govt land
DIU – Jaisukh Bambhania wanted to expose racket involved in issuing licence to bike vendors and construction of a restaurant on govt land
Rajkot An RTI activist from Union Territory of Diu who had sought information in connection with the construction of an allegedly illegal restaurant and bogus licence issued by Road Transport Office to bike vendors has been allegedly attacked by local politicians and government officers.
Jaisukh Bambhania ,39, president of Diu auto-rickshaw drivers association, was attacked with sharp weapons and pipes on Sunday night. Later, acid was thrown on him.
Bambhania has registered a complaint against Diu Nagarpalika vice-president Shamji Premji Solanki, who is from the Congress, mamlatdar Haresh Jethava, Diu RTO Vinod Solanki, RTO head clerk Vashram Bhima, Nagarpalika engineer Nanji Makwana and four other unidentified persons in connection with the attack.
The Una police in Junagadh district, where the incident took place, have registered a complaint of assault and attack under various sections of the IPC. The accused have gone missing. The police are on their trail, said the Una police.
According to preliminary investigation, Bambhania was attacked while on his way to nearby town of Una. His auto-rickshaw was reportedly intercepted by the accused, who first tied him down with auto-rickshaw and then attacked him with swords and pipes.
The accused then threw acid at him and fled when they saw some vehicles coming towards them, the police said. We have also interrogated two eye-witnesses in this connection, they added.
Bambhania allegedly wanted to expose the racket involved in issuing unauthorised licence to bike vendors who give two-wheelers on rent to tourists and the construction of a restaurant on the government land.
He has sought details on the construction of Panchmahurti Bar and Restaurant, which has been constructed on government land by Nagarpalika vice-president with the help of mamlatdar, said Bipin, the victims brother.
Attacks on RTI activists in region
* Amit Jethava was shot dead in Ahmedabad on July 20, 2010, allegedly at the behest of Pratap Solanki, nephew of Junagadh MP Dinu Solanki, after he exposed the nexus between politicians and mining mafia.
* Bhagu Devani, a Porbandar-based lawyer, was attacked in June this year, allegedly by a hotelier connected with former BJP minister Babu Bokhiria, for exposing how coastal regulatory zone rules were being bent for construction of a three-star hotel at Porbandar beach.