Six years on, slain RTI activist’s brother still seeks answers

Sandeep Shetty, brother of slain RTI activist Satish Shetty, said that there was lack of seriousness when it came to protecting whistleblowers who take on the mighty and powerful

Sandeep Shetty, brother of slain RTI activist Satish Shetty, said that there was lack of seriousness when it came to protecting whistleblowers who take on the mighty and powerful.

“Anybody taking on people with money and power is not safe. Those who are responsible for law and order do not care. It is quite evident that money plays a role,” he told Hindustan times, adding that it was usually money and muscle power that counted. “Every time there is such an incident, the topic is raised and later everything fizzles out,” he added.

Shetty continues to seek answers for his brother’s death. “They are just whiling away time. I have approached the Bombay High Court stating that the CBI probe is compromised and the hearing is next week. We are demanding a court monitored investigation in the case,” he said.

Satish Shetty was murdered on January 13, 2010, after unknown assailants stabbed him to death while he was returning home after a morning walk. The assailants, after stabbing Shetty on his head and neck, fled from the spot, leaving no trace. Incidentally, his request for police protection in November 2009 was not met by the Pune rural police.

The CBI arrested retired police inspector Andhalkar and retired assistant police inspector Namdev Kauthale, both part of the local crime branch (LCB) of the Pune rural police, for shielding the culprits while probing the case.

Initially the case was probed by the local police. Later, the case was passed on to the CBI after the Bombay HC took suo-motu cognizance of the murder.