RTI activist killed in Ahmedabad

Amit Jethva had recently filed PIL against illegal mining in coastal areas of Gujarat

GN Bureau | July 21, 2010


Amit Jethva
Amit Jethva

Amit  Jethva, an RTI activist based in Gujarat was killed on Tuesday night. According to reports, Jethva was getting into his car after meeting some lawyers at the bar council’s office located opposite Ahmedabad High Court when motorcycle borne assailants shot him. Jethva died on the spot.
Jethva, 33, was the president of the Gir Nature club- an association working for the conservation of lions in Gir forest in Gujarat’s Junagarh district- home to Asiatic lions.
Jethva, a suspended government teacher, hailed from Amreli district on the outskirts of Gir Wildlife Sanctuary.
Recently, he had filed public interest litigation in the High Court against illegal limestone mining in coastal areas in Gujarat. He also raised the issue of irregularities in the appointment of information commissioners in Gujarat information commission.
He had sought court’s intervention in the selection of Lokayukta in the state.
“When citizen raises these issues under RTI by asking information on violation recorded and action taken, their voice is being suppressed. We demand that government should take serious note of this incident and proper actions   be initiated,” said Pankti Jog, Ahmedababd based RTI activist.
In 2007, Jethva had contested for assembly elections as an independent candidate.
He is survived by his wife and two children.

 

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