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, officials said on Tuesday.
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 mediapersons.
“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.
Police declined to give details about the persons detained for questioning.
Asked if Junagadh BJP MP Dinu Solanki had any link with the murder, Mr. Jha said “we cannot rule out anything at present as the probe is in initial stages.”
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.
A few days before his death, Mr. Jethwa had filed a public interest litigation (PIL) in Gujarat High Court against illegal mining in Gir forest in Junagadh.
