RTI activist attacked; politicians, officials on the run.

Express News Service: Wednesday, August 24, 2011.

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 top local politicians and government officers.

Jaisukh Bambhania (39), who is president of Diu auto-rickshaw drivers association, was attacked with sharp weapons like swords and pipes followed by an acid attack on Sunday night.

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 on him.

The Una police in Junagadh district, where the incident took place, have registered a complaint of assault and attack under various sections of the Indian Penal Code.

“The accused have gone missing. The police are on their trail,” said the Una police.

According to preliminary investigation, Bambhania was attack while on his way to nearby town of Una. His auto-rickshaw was reportedly intercepted by accused, who first tied him down with auto-rickshaw and then attacked him with swords and pipes.

“Accused then allegedly 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, victim’s brother.

“Besides, as auto-rickshaw drivers association president, my brother has filed a plea in Diu court against the RTO for issuing bogus licences to bike vendors. Top officials of RTO are involved in the scam,” Bipin said, adding his severely injured brother has been shifted to a private hospital in Rajkot with multiple wounds.

Past Attacks on RTI activists in state:

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 nexus between politicians and mining mafias.

Bhagu Devani, a Porbandar-based lawyer, was attacked in June last, 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.