CBI files chargesheet in RTI activist Amit Jethwa murder case
5 Jan, 2014The special CBI magisterial court handed over the chargesheet to MP from Junagadh Dinu Bogha Solanki yesterday in RTI activist Amit Jethwa murder case wherein he has been named as the key conspirator. The CBI has refuted the conclusions of the Ahmedabad's Detection of Crime Branch (DCB) which had exonerated the BJP MP. The Ahmedabad's DCB could not find any evidence against Solanki and had chargesheeted five accused namely Bahadursinh Vadher (police constable), Shiva Solanki, Salesh Pandya, a sharp shooter, Udaji Thakor and Panchan. However, on the demand of Jethwa’s father, the High Court had directed CBI investigation. The CBI has charged Solanki under Section 120 B (criminal conspiracy) and Section 320 (murder) of the IPC.
The findings of the CBI finding are largely based on Call Data Records (CDR) and statements of two undisclosed witnesses. The identities and statements of the witnesses have been withheld by the CBI due to perceived threat to their life and property, considering the influence of the BJP leader. The CDRs revealed that Solanki and Bahadursinh Dhiruba Vadher were constantly in touch before and after the murder. On the day Jethava was shot dead, four SMSs originated from a cellphone used by Solanki which were sent to Vadher just before the murder took place.
Jethwa had been instrumental in exposing the illegal mining activities, including illegal lifting of soft muram in prohibited area by Solanki. Solanki had threatened the deceased earlier on many occasions, but the Jethwa had continued his efforts to expose Solanki. The CBI has stated the motive to murder Jethava existed as "The deceased (Jethava) started the crusade against personal and commercial activities of Solanki and his nephew. Investigation revealed that illegal mining activities were continuing in the prohibited 5 km area of Gir Forest and the deceased finally filed a PIL in the Gujarat High Court on June 28, 2010, stating that illegal mining continued at the behest of Solanki." A month later, the High Court issued notices to Solanki and his nephew on July 19 which infuriated accused Solanki resulting into the murder of the Jethwa the very next day.
The chargesheet states, "...Solanki hatched a criminal conspiracy with accused Bahadursinh Dhiruba Vadher and Pratapbhai alias Shivabhai Solanki (nephew of Solanki; both were chargesheeted by DCB) at his farmhouse in Harmadiya village two-three months prior to the murder of Amit Jethava. It was revealed that accused Bahadursinh Vadher was very close to accused Dinu Solanki."
For earlier news on the issue – “CBI arrests BJP MP in connection with the murder of RTI activist Amit Jethwa” Read more at: http://www.rtifoundationofindia.com/cbi-arrests-bjp-mp-connection-murder-rti-activist#.UsjgjPQW1OE