Another RTI activist killed in Maharashtra

Yogita Limaye and Pratap Naik , CNN-IBNPosted on Jun 01, 2010

Mumbai: Another Right to Information (RTI) activist has been murdered in Maharashtra. Datta Patil, an activist from Ichalkaranji in the Kolhapur district, was found dead on May 22. This is the latest among the increasing number of attacks against activists in Maharashtra. Less than 6 months ago, RTI activist Satish Shetty, had been killed in Talegaon near Pune.

Patil who was well known in his hometown Ichalkaranji in the Kolhapur district for taking on administrators via the RTI act was attacked with a sword.

Friend and activist Appa Patil said, "He was involved in a lot of social causes. He exposed corruption amongst several politicians and bureaucrats."

Patil had made several enemies due to his activism.

Patil had petitioned the local court against horse trading during municipal council elections. He had also demanded an inquiry into the assets of 2 former police inspectors. He had lodged several complaints against construction by a prominent builder.

Assistant Police Inspector, Ichalkaranji, Anil Vibhute said, "We are yet to make some arrests in this case... once we do that we can zero in on who the main perpetrator is."

Six persons have now been arrested for Patil's murder but many insist they are not the main perpetrators