BJP MP behind murder: RTI activists' family

A day after leading Right to Information (RTI) activist Amit Jethwa was shot dead in Ahmedabad on Tuesday night, his family today alleged BJP MP behind his murder.

A day after leading Right to Information (RTI) activist Amit Jethwa was shot dead in Ahmedabad on Tuesday night, his family today alleged BJP MP behind his murder.

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Jethwa's family accused BJP MP from Junagadh, Dinu Solanki, for foul play and said that he was behind the murder.

Talking to reporters, Bhiku Jethwa, Amit's father said, "I strongly suspect that Dinu Solanki is behind my son's murder. Because he has threatened me on telephone. He also threatened Amit many times. Amit was threatened in Kodinar and Khamba towns in front of large crowds, a thousand strong. But nobody dared to report the matter."

According to eyewitnesses, Jethwa, who was seriously injured, pounced on the two, toppling them from the motor cycle and tried to hold them on Tuesday. The two, however, fled leaving behind their motorcycle, the revolver and a bag.

Jethwa died on the spot even as an ambulance was being called. His body has been moved to the government civil hospital for autopsy, a police official said.

Among other cases taken up by Jethwa was the appointment of two additional information commissioners to hear RTI appeals which had piled up. This was accomplished after the court's intervention. He had also sought the court's intervention for filling up the long vacant post of Lok Ayukta (ombudsman) in the state.

(With IANS inputs)