Daijiworld Media Network - Vijayanagara (SP)

Vijayanagara, Jul 17: RTI activist, T Sridhar (38), who had specialised in identifying those who usurped government land, stands murdered. Three teams led by police inspectors have been formed to nab the culprits.

Sridhar was having tea on the backside of a canteen in the compound of ADB College in Harapanahalli Thursday night when four persons armed with lethal weapons hit him hard on the neck before decamping. Even though efforts to save him were made, Sridhar breathed his last on the way to the hospital in the ambulance.

Sridhar is survived by wife, who is a nurse, and two sons.

Sridhar worked as reporter for a local daily and used to help poor farmers by using his connections in government offices. He had fought against illegal mining, encroachment, government land encroachment, unauthorised stone quarries etc. Some of these cases were settled in the court and many cases against leading personalities were pending with the Lokayukta and high court. He also had complained to the Lokayukta against some influential politicians.

On the basis of a complaint filed by Sridhar's wife Sheela from Valmiki Nagara, Doddagaradikeri in Harampanahalli, the name of MLA P T Parameshar Naik's son has been mentioned. Naik's son Bharath, had posed death threat to her husband, Sheela stated in her complaint. Quoting eyewitnesses she said Vagish from Valmiki Nagara and four others holding sharp weapons had murdered her husband.