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Gujarat MP's nephew held for Jethwa's murder
The Ahmedabad police on Tuesday arrested Pratap alias Shiva Solanki, a relative of Junagadh BJP MP Dinu Solanki in connection with the murder of RTI and environment activist Amit Jethwa, who was gunned down near the Gujarat High Court on July 20.
The Ahmedabad police on Tuesday arrested Pratap alias Shiva Solanki, a relative of Junagadh BJP MP Dinu Solanki in connection with the murder of RTI and environment activist Amit Jethwa, who was gunned down near the Gujarat High Court on July 20.
Shiva Solanki is the main accused in the murder case and was arrested near Rajkot airport on Tuesday by a team of Ahmedabad police officials.
"We have arrested Shiva Solanki, from near the Rajkot airport while he was on his way to Mumbai," JCP (Crime Branch) Mohan Jha said.
Sources in the police said the MP's nephew had allegedly hired contract killers to finish Jethwa, whose activities were affecting his business interests.
Following the murder, Jethwa's father Bhikubhai Jethwa had alleged that the BJP MP was involved in the murder and that his nephew had threatened him and his son many times on the phone and in public places.
The slain activist had set up Gir Nature Youth Club and had filed several petitions in the Gujarat High Court against the forest department. He also filed a public interest litigation against illegal mining in the Gir forests of Junagadh district, considered the world's last abode of Asiatic lions.
Last month, the police had arrested Pachan Shiva, one of the two motorcycle-borne assailants who shot Jethwa.
