Advocate-turned-RTI activist comes under attack in Gujarat
In yet another attack on information seekers under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, an advocate-turned-activist, Baghu Dewani (65), was on Friday assaulted by two unidentified persons in Porbandar.
Dewani had sought information on two allegedly illegal construction works coming up in Porbandar town, both of which were patronised by the kin of former BJP leader Babu Bokhiria. Bokhiria is learnt to have interests in mining and construction business in and around the city.
The incident took place early Friday morning when Dewani was on his way to office. Officials said two unidentified assailants approached Dewani’s car and asked the driver to flee before beating up the activist and finally stabbing him.
Dewani, who has been admitted to hospital, has alleged that Bokhiria may be behind the attack.
Interestingly, the attack took place on a day when both district collector GA Shah and Superintendent of Police Nilesh Jajadiya were on leave. The Porbandar police said Dewani’s condition is stable.
An FIR has been filed against two unknown persons and the police have started investigation into the case. This is not the first time that RTI activists have been targeted in the state.
While RTI activist Amit Jethwa was killed before Gujarat High Court last year, another information seeker Vishram Lakshman Dodiya, a water pouch and book vendor, was killed in Surat on February 11, 2010, allegedly for seeking details about the illegal electricity connection by the Torrent power.
Two dalits from Dhank village in Upleta block in Rajkot district were earlier threatened by the village sarpanch for seeking information on the implementation of various government housing schemes, which exposed the nexus between the village-level revenue officer and the sarpanch.
The duo finally sought police protection to save themselves from the wrath of the corrupt village head.
