Outlook India; Mumbai; Nov 19, 2010
Armed with a transfer warrant, a Gujarat Police team arrived here today to seek the custody of a key accused in the murder of RTI activist Amit Jethwa.
Shailesh Pandya, a former school headmaster, was on Tuesday arrested by Mumbai Crime Branch from suburban Kurla in an Arms Act case. The 36-year-old was remanded in police custody till tomorrow by a local court.
Police have said a country-made pistol, a revolver and seven cartridges were seized from Pandya, who hails from Patan in Gujarat.
He is accused of firing at Jethwa, who had filed PIL against illegal mining activities near the Gir forest, outside the Gujarat High Court on July 20 in what police said was a case of contract killing.
"Pandya's custody will be over tomorrow. We will not seek his further custody in the arms case. A Gujarat Police team arrived here today with a transfer warrant to seek his custody in the murder of the RTI activist," said a Crime Branch official on condition of anonymity.
Pratap alias Shiva Solanki, nephew of BJP MP from Junagadh Dinu Solanki and Police Constable Bahadursinh Vadher were among the five persons arrested by the Gujarat Police so far in connection with the killing. On November 12, Gujarat Police filed a chargesheet in the murder case.
Both conspired to eliminate Jethwa as his activism was damaging their mining business, police said.
Jethwa was shot dead a few days after he filed a public interest litigation (PIL) against illegal mining in the protected Gir sanctuary in Junagadh district.
Pandya was the headmaster of the Primary School at Paspa village in Gujarat before he entered the world of crime.
He received Rs 6 lakh for executing the killing of Jethwa, Gujarat Police have said.
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