RTI activist shot in Navi Mumbai's Airoli, aide escapes narrowly

Incident occurred at Chhatrapati Shivaji Niwasi Chawl, Sector 1. Pic/By Special Arrangement

A late-night firing incident sent shockwaves through Airoli's Chhatrapati Shivaji Niwasi Chawl, Sector 1, where an RTI activist was shot, receiving injuries to his neck, while another person, Sandeep Gawas, narrowly escaped unhurt.

The incident took place at around 11.50 pm on Monday.

According to police, the bike-borne attacker fired four rounds, leaving RTI activist Amit Maurya injured. Maurya was initially rushed to Indravati Hospital in Airoli and later shifted to Fortis Hospital in Mulund. Doctors successfully removed the bullet, and hospital sources confirmed that he is now out of danger, said police.

The incident has raised serious questions over a possible targeted attack, even as Navi Mumbai police questioned around 14 suspects.

Second target?

Sandeep Gawas, Shiv Sena district president. Pic/Special Arrangement

Mid-day's ground report revealed a possible second target in the attack - Gawas, Shiv Sena district president. His mother, Asha Gawas, said, "Mera beta bhi target tha. Woh neeche baith gaya isliye bach gaya. Amit khada tha, isliye goli uske gale mein lag gayi [my son was also a target. He ducked down and was saved. Amit was standing, so the bullet grazed his neck]."

RTI angle under scanner

Confirming Maurya's background, ACP Rahul Dhas said the victim is an RTI activist who may have filed applications related to illegal constructions in Airoli and Digha. Investigators are now closely examining his recent RTI filings, particularly those linked to unauthorised structures in the Rabale belt, to establish a motive behind the attack.

RTI activist Amit Maurya. Pic/Special Arrangement

CCTV clues, teams formed

Rabale police, who reached the spot soon after the incident, recovered four empty cartridges and began scanning CCTV footage from the area that captured the assailant's movement. Senior Police Inspector Balakrishna Sawant described the case as "sensitive" and said multiple teams are working on it. Police teams are probing various angles, including personal rivalry, political links, and RTI-related disclosures, said Sawant.