ALIGARH: An RTI activist was allegedly beaten to death by eight men, including the village head and his son, in the district of Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, for raising concerns about the calibre of ongoing public projects in the region.The tragedy also left the victim's brother gravely injured.

Devjeet Singh, 32, a native of Gorai village under Iglas police circle, was killed, victim's relatives said, while he and his brother were taking care of their farm.

Raghvendra Singh, Deputy Superintendent of Police, said, "Pradhan Devendra Singh, his son Kartik, and six other people were identified in the complaint, and an FIR has been filed against them under a number of IPC sections, including 506 (criminal intimidation), 147 (rioting), and 302 (death). The accused men have fled. They are being targeted for arrest." 

Mahendra Singh, Devjeet's father, said, "Two months prior, my son had submitted an RTI request for information on the calibre of the village pradhan's development activities. He also sought appropriate action after filing many complaints with various agencies saying that poor materials were being utilised for building in the community. We have received death threats ever since. We went to the police last month to report about Devendra, but nothing happened."

Ramvir Singh, the victim's uncle, said: "My nephews were mercilessly attacked by the local headman and his kin using lathis and other sharp objects. We rushed to the spot as soon as we learned about the attack. Devjeet, who received severe head injuries, died on the way to Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College. Surendra, his younger brother, is being treated at the same hospital and is in severe condition." Locals claim that Devjeet used to manage a computer centre in the village besides helping his father with his farming works. His 28-year-old wife and two young children are left behind.

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