GUJARAT COP ARRESTED FOR RTI ACTIVIST KILLING

Nearly a month after RTI activist Amit Jethwa was shot dead, a police constable from Gujarat’s Junagadh district has been arrested in connection with the murder. Three others have been detained for questioning in connection with the killing of Jethwa, who had filed a PIL against illegal mining in Gir forest, on the night of July 20. “Bahadursinh Dhirubha Wadher (37), posted as a constable in Girgadhada police station in Junagadh district, was arrested for allegedly getting Jethwa killed through contract killers,” Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Mohan Jha told media persons. “We have also tracked the contract killers, who are history-sheeters. They have been identified as Shailesh Pandya and Pancha Shiva and were promised Rs 11 lakh for the job. Both are absconding and we have launched a manhunt to nab them,” he said. A day after the activist was shot dead by two motorcycle-borne assailants, his father Bhikabhai Jethwa had alleged that Mr. Solanki was behind his son’s murder. Nearly one month after RTI activist Amit Jethwa’s murder, Gujarat Police Crime Branch detained BJP MP Dinubhai Boghabhai Solanki’s nephew, Shiva Solanki. The BJP MP has huge investments in the stone mining business of the region. Solanki and his relatives have at least five mining leases in the region. This allegedly illegal limestone mine, situated adjacent to the Gir sanctuary, is said to belong to the BJP strongman. Jethwa’s associates have asked the Governor for an independent probe.