The Times of India; Saturday, Jun 25, 2011,
RAJKOT: Well-known lawyer and Right to Information Act (RTI) activist Bhagu Devani, 72, was pulled out of his car in Porbandar on Friday morning by five to six unidentified persons and stabbed in the stomach. Devani, who is out of danger, has named former BJP minister Babu Bokhiria and two other BJP functionaries as the men behind the attack.
Devani's complaint filed at Udhognagar police station says that five to six people in a car intercepted him. They said, "Why do you complaint repeatedly against us?' and hit me with sticks after which I was stabbed thrice in the stomach,'' Devani said.The assailants forced Devani's driver to leave the scene. The incident happened on main road near Rajiv Nagar but there were no eyewitnesses. Devani was taken to hospital by local residents.
Sources close to Devani said that he was getting threats but he ignored them. He had been provided police protection in the past when he was fighting a case against Bokhiria but he rejected it. It was because of Devani's petition in the Gujarat high court that former irrigation minister Bokhiria was arrested in a Rs 54-crore limestone theft case.
Apart from Bokhiria, Devani has named Suresh Thanki, president of Chhaya Nagarpalika, and Vikram Odedara, former vice-president of Porbandar taluka panchayat. "There are two reasons behind this attack. First, I have written to the Chief Minister's grievance redressal programme against the illegal eight-storey building that has come up in Chhaya Nagarpalika area. Second, I have complained against a three-star hotel which is coming up within the Coastal Regulation Zone. Vikram Odedara has a stake in it,'' Devani told TOI from hospital. "I suspect that powerful politicians are behind this attack on me as they have huge interests in these projects,'' he added.
Bhanu Odedara, an RTI activist and Congress worker, said nothing had changed since the murder of RTI activist Amit Jethwa who was shot dead near the Gujarat High court in July 2010.
Incidentally, Devani's office is bang opposite to Mahatma Gandhi's birthplace, Kirti Mandir, and starts his day by offering prayers to the Mahatma. Devani is known for his fearless speeches in Porbandar and nearly 2,000 used to attend his public meetings every month. "Gandhi changed the world. If we can bring some changes in our own surroundings, the new generation would be grateful to us,'' he believes.
"Common people are afraid of the limestone mafia and powerful politicians but I do not fear them. Injustice can't be tolerated,'' Devani said, adding that there was only one mantra in his life, 'Darna mana hai'.
V S Rabari, deputy superintendent of police, said, "We are investigating the case and our probe is centered around the suspects named Devani. We have got strong leads and we hope to nab the assailants soon."
Devani's complaint filed at Udhognagar police station says that five to six people in a car intercepted him. They said, "Why do you complaint repeatedly against us?' and hit me with sticks after which I was stabbed thrice in the stomach,'' Devani said.The assailants forced Devani's driver to leave the scene. The incident happened on main road near Rajiv Nagar but there were no eyewitnesses. Devani was taken to hospital by local residents.
Sources close to Devani said that he was getting threats but he ignored them. He had been provided police protection in the past when he was fighting a case against Bokhiria but he rejected it. It was because of Devani's petition in the Gujarat high court that former irrigation minister Bokhiria was arrested in a Rs 54-crore limestone theft case.
Apart from Bokhiria, Devani has named Suresh Thanki, president of Chhaya Nagarpalika, and Vikram Odedara, former vice-president of Porbandar taluka panchayat. "There are two reasons behind this attack. First, I have written to the Chief Minister's grievance redressal programme against the illegal eight-storey building that has come up in Chhaya Nagarpalika area. Second, I have complained against a three-star hotel which is coming up within the Coastal Regulation Zone. Vikram Odedara has a stake in it,'' Devani told TOI from hospital. "I suspect that powerful politicians are behind this attack on me as they have huge interests in these projects,'' he added.
Bhanu Odedara, an RTI activist and Congress worker, said nothing had changed since the murder of RTI activist Amit Jethwa who was shot dead near the Gujarat High court in July 2010.
Incidentally, Devani's office is bang opposite to Mahatma Gandhi's birthplace, Kirti Mandir, and starts his day by offering prayers to the Mahatma. Devani is known for his fearless speeches in Porbandar and nearly 2,000 used to attend his public meetings every month. "Gandhi changed the world. If we can bring some changes in our own surroundings, the new generation would be grateful to us,'' he believes.
"Common people are afraid of the limestone mafia and powerful politicians but I do not fear them. Injustice can't be tolerated,'' Devani said, adding that there was only one mantra in his life, 'Darna mana hai'.
V S Rabari, deputy superintendent of police, said, "We are investigating the case and our probe is centered around the suspects named Devani. We have got strong leads and we hope to nab the assailants soon."
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