RTI activist fails to identify 4 accused held in Porbandar

Police swung into action after the RTI activist in Porbandar, Bhagu Devani was attacked on Friday, and arrested four people for their allegedly involvement in the assault. However, Devani, an advocate and RTI activist, who was stabbed with knife by some unidentified men around 9 am on Friday, was not able to identify any of the accused during the identification parade.

Meanwhile, one of the accused has also blamed Devani of demanding money to withdraw his RTI applications. During the course of investigation, one of the arrested accused, Lakhu Odedara told police that Devani had asked for Rs20 lakh in cash in lieu of his RTI applications. "Lakhu had mentioned in his statement that Devani asked for the money to stop filing more RTI applications against the illegal constructions," a police source, familiar with the development told DNA.

Apart from Lakhu the police arrested Jayesh Kadchha, Arjan Parmar and Milan Salet. Lakhu is the brother of Vikram Odedara, the builder who has been named by Devani in his affidavit for the attack on him. "The victim said his health does not permit him to identify anyone at the moment and so he was not able to identify any of the accused," a police source said. "Victim claimed to be under stress and trauma," investigation officer PR Ramani said.

Arrested people are expected to be produced before the district magistrate for remand on Saturday night, police sources added. These people were arrested from Bokhira, in the outskirts of Porbandar. Police have also seized the car used by them and knife used to stab Devani, sources said.