HC seeks info which slain RTI activist had obtained

The Bombay High Court today sought all the information which Talegaon-based social activist Satish Shetty -- who was killed on January 13 -- had obtained through Right to Information Act.

Last week the court took suo motu (on its own) notice of Shetty's murder, which was preceded by attack on social activist Naina Kathpalia's house in Mumbai a few days earlier.

Today, the division bench of justice FI Rebello and justice JH Bhatia referred to newspaper reports that Shetty's murder had connection with his crusade against illegal constructions, and said that "the court should pursue these matters".

Judges also appointed senior counsel D Madon as amicus curie to assist the court, and directed the government to provide him copies of the (documentary) information which Shetty had been given under RTI.

Meanwhile, in an affidavit filed before the court, acting director general of Police Anami Roy has said that names of six persons have come to light during probe into Shetty's murder, and three of them have been arrested.

In another affidavit, state home secretary Chandra Iyengar has stated that police have been given instructions to act promptly whenever any social activist complains of threat.