AAP Mumbai';s RTI crusader brutally attacked with knives for taking on land mafia

Deendayal Rai (38) is an active member of the AAP, who is also a local RTI activist in Kurla (West). Today 18th Jan 2015 an attempt on his life was made at 1230 pm near his house by local goons connected to the land Mafia. It may be noted that Mr Rai had successfully taken on the local land mafia, who would collect rent from residents of the local hutments despite having no claim/ownership to the land on which these hutments stand. Two years ago, after learning that the local mafia, is working in collusion with officials from the local police station, Rai complained to the local DCP and got two constables suspended, subsequently the local residents stopped paying rent to the land mafia. The local residents named their local residents association after Rai as a token of appreciation. This angered the mafia who made an attempt on his life today using dangerous weapons like knives, choppers  and stones. Fortunately the assailants were unsuccessful  despite grievously hurting Rai. Rai is presently admitted in Sion hospital and AAP workers are in the process of filing the FIR & other legal requirements.

The AAP strongly condemns this attack which unfortunately brings to light the amount of pressure activists and members of the AAP face while taking on entrenched anti-social elements for their illegal activities.

It may also be pointed out that large number of RTI activists were killed and grievously wounded in the last few years across Maharashtra. The AAP hopes the new state government will take remedial measures at the earliest to protect the life & limb of RTI activists regardless of political affiliation and AAP members alike, so that civic minded individuals are not silenced or intimidated for taking on anti-social elements for their crimes. 

Pictures of the injured volunteer have been attached. (Ends)

Regards,

Media Cell,

AAP Maharashtra