2 arrested in Mumbai RTI activist Bhupendra Vira's murder

Following the murder of 72-year-old RTI activist Bhupendra Vira in his Mumbai home, two persons, including a former corporator, have been arrested by the Mumbai Police.

"Amjad Khan (53) and his father Razzaq Khan (78) were arrested this morning on charges of murder of Bhupendra Vira. Razzak was earlier a corporator in Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. It looks like a land dispute led to the Khans killing Vira," Mumbai Deputy Commissioner of Police Ashok Dudhe said.

Razzaq Khan is a former Congress corporator from Santacruz area.

Vira, who had been fighting against land mafia, unauthorized structures and encroachments in and around Kalina, was shot dead at point blank range on Saturday night when he was watching TV at his residence in suburban Santacruz.

Also read - Mumbai: RTI activist Bhupendra Vira, who targetted illegal constructions, shot dead at home

The shooter is suspected to have used a silencer, as Vira's wife, who despite being in the house claimed she did not hear anything, a police official involved in the probe said.

The police had earlier said they were inquiring if Vira had approached them with any complaint - about facing a threat to his life.

The activist is survived by a daughter and two sons.

Social activist and former AAP leader Anjali Damania, who had worked with Vira, said on Sunday that he was attached to 'Voice of Kalina', an advanced locality management (ALM) body and a citizen's group.

Describing him as committed social worker, Damania had said, "Vira along with other members of the ALM were fighting against encroachments, illegal structures and land mafia in and around Kalina by filing RTIs. He had written several letters to authorities including, Lokayukta, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and police, seeking action against illegal structures."

According to her, several activists had received threats and many of them, including Vira, had filed several complaints at Vakola police station in this regard.

She said on Saturday morning, Vira had persuaded the BMC authorities to issue four notices to a local goon living in the same area.

--PTI