RTI activist challenging MLA shot at in Thane

A Right to Information activist Arun Sawant was critically injured after being shot by two unidentified men in Thane.

Sawant was shot on his way back from the Badlapur Municipal Council, where he had gone to file an RTI application.

The incident took place around 1.30 pm on Friday on Katrap Road around 100 meters from the council office, according to Commodore (Retd) Lokesh Batra, an RTI activist based in Delhi.

Police Inspector A P Mokashi said Sawant was shot by two unidentified men who had been following him, adding that he collapsed after the bullet hit the lower part of his back.

"We will have a direction to go in only after Sawant gives us a statement, but the doctors have told us he is not in a position to do that right now," said Mokashi.

He was rushed to AIIMS Hospital, Dombivli, in critical condition, with doctors first trying to stabilise him before attempting a surgery.

Hospital sources said the next 48 hours would be critical for Sawant.

Sawant worked with labour unions after quitting his job with the State Transport Corporation almost 10 years ago. He had contested the council election, but lost.

He then began using the RTI to get information on both civic projects of the Badlapur Municipal Council, as well as the local politicians.

He had filed a writ petition against Member of Legislative Assembly Kishan Kathore challenging his election to the Council and won it in the high court.

The case is now pending in the Supreme Court.