Devani dragged my name at Modhwadia’s behest: Bokhiria

Indian Express; Monday , June 27 , 2011,

Rajkot : The assault on Porbandar-based RTI activist Bhagubhai Devani has taken a political twist. Former Irrigation Minister Babu Bokhiria, who Devani has accused of plotting the assault, has said the victim has dragged his name in the incident at the behest of state Congress chief and Porbandar MLA Arjun Modhwadia.

“Devani has been instigated by Modhwadia to drag my name in the incident. This is a conspiracy to defame me,” said Bokhiria. The former minister is facing other criminal cases too like the Rs 200-crore mineral theft and the killing of Congress leader Molu Modhwadia.

Bokhiria said: “Devani gave no names in the FIR. It was only afterwards, following instructions from Modhwadia, that Devani gave a written complaint to the police to include my name and that of two other BJP leaders, in the case.”

After the attack on Friday, Devani, who sustained multiple wounds on the leg, had registered a complaint against unidentified men. On Saturday, he submitted an application to the Porbandar police on a Rs 500 stamp paper, to include the names of Bokhiria, former Porbandar nagarpalika president Vikram Odedara and Chaya nagarpalika president Suresh Thanki as conspirators.

Devani alleged that he was attacked as he had lodged complaints with the Gujarat High Court and the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest in connection with two buildings - a highrise residential complex near the airport and a three-star hotel on the sea shore in which the three have business interests.

Bokhiria, on his part, denied any business interest in both buildings, adding that Devani is a “blackmailer”.

Modhwadia, however, said: “This is unfortunate that there was an attempt to kill an RTI activist. I have come to know that mafias supported by the BJP are involved in this.”

The episode is taking similar twist and turns as the Molu Modhwadia murder case. Molu, a miner and a close associate of Arjun Modhwadia, was shot dead outside his home in Porbandar in 2007. An FIR was registered against gangster Bhima Odedara, a relative of Bokhiria. Later, Molu’s son and Arjun claimed that Molu had, in a letter, which he always carried with him, mentioned Bokhiria to be held responsible for his death.

The matter landed in the HC after which Bokhiria’s name was added in the complaint and he was arrested.

The Porbandar police have, meanwhile, taken four persons arrested in connection with the assault on Devani in three-day custody. The main accused has been identified has Lakhu Odedara, brother of BJP leader Vikram Odedara.