NHRC Probes RTI Activist Killing in Virar

The National Human Rights Commission has asked Maharashtra’s police chief and the Palghar district magistrate to explain the killing of RTI activist Atmaram Patil during a quarry inspection in Virar East. The rights body said it took suo motu cognisance of media reports about the May 12 attack in Shirgaon locality, where Patil was killed and a Mandal Revenue Officer was injured. The commission issued notices on May 20 and asked for a detailed report within two weeks. The report is expected to cover the status of the investigation and the health of the injured officer. ### How did the attack unfold at the quarry site? On May 12, revenue official Prabhakar Patil reached a quarry in Shirgaon with his driver to inspect a complaint of illegality, according to Mira Bhayandar Vasai Virar police. Police said the official did not initially find the specific violation mentioned in the complaint and contacted Amit Chaudhary of the Loktankrik Lokrajyam Party, who then sent Atmaram Patil, 54, to the site. (nhrc.nic.in) Virar police said an argument followed between quarry-linked people and Atmaram Patil after he arrived. Senior inspector Lalu Ture told Indian Express that 10 to 12 people at the quarry attacked Patil, and police alleged his face was smashed with a stone several times. Prabhakar Patil was also injured in the clash, and the vehicle used to reach the spot was damaged, police said. (indianexpress.com) ### Why did the NHRC step in? The NHRC said the reported facts, if true, raised “serious issues of violation of the human rights of the victims.” In its May 20 press release, the commission said the victims had gone to inspect the quarry after complaints on a government portal about illegal operations there. It said they were reportedly dragged from their vehicle, assaulted with sticks and stones, and that the vehicle was vandalised. (indianexpress.com) Hindustan Times reported that the commission sought reports from the Maharashtra director general of police and the Palghar district magistrate after taking serious note of the killing. The paper said the attack was allegedly carried out by people linked to quarry operators and that the commission asked for accountability and updates on the probe. (nhrc.nic.in) ### Who has been arrested so far? Virar police initially arrested two people after the attack and said they were looking for others, according to Indian Express reporting from May 12. Later, MBVV police arrested quarry owner Bhalchandra Patil, 75, and then his sons Mahesh and Pratik in connection with the case, Indian Express reported on May 14. (hindustantimes.com) Lalu Ture told Indian Express that the complainant’s family had named several people and that police had identified six to seven people as involved in the killing. He said some accused were still on the run. ### What do police say about the background to the dispute? Police told Indian Express that Amit Chaudhary and quarry owner Bhalchandra Patil had known each other and had earlier been named in another FIR. (indianexpress.com) Lalu Ture said there had been several complaints since 2011 about alleged illegalities in quarries owned by Bhalchandra Patil. He said the quarry had been sealed since January and had been incurring losses. (indianexpress.com) Hemant Patil, the victim’s son, told police that the quarry owner had threatened Atmaram Patil several times in the past and that Patil had previously been attacked because of his activism against illegal quarries in the Palghar area, according to Indian Express. ### What happens next in the case? (indianexpress.com) The NHRC’s May 20 notice gives Maharashtra’s DGP and the Palghar district magistrate two weeks to file a detailed report. The commission said that report should include both the status of the criminal investigation and the condition of the injured revenue officer. Police, meanwhile, have said more accused are being traced in the Virar case. (nhrc.nic.in) (indianexpress.com)