Amit Parmar

RTI Activist and Human Rights Defender

Gujarat

HRDA has issued an urgent appeal to the National Human Rights Commission of India on November 28, 2019 regarding the brutal physical assault on RTI activist and human rights defender Mr. Amit Parmar, near Khopala village in Botad district of Gujarat on November 24,2019. He is a student of LLB at HK College, Ahmedabad and has been socially active in his village, raising several issues- especially highlighting the discriminatory attitude of the administration in the distribution of financial assistance to those belonging to SC/ ST categories.

Mr. Parmar had filed an RTI application seeking information on the details of the grants of government development projects under the ‘Indira Housing Scheme’ given to the village panchayat and use of village pastoral land. Mr. Parmar was also threatened by the husband of village sarpanch Ms. Vimala Gabani in this regard.

As per sources, on November 24, 2019, Mr. Parmar was on his way to Lakhanka village on his bike along with his brother Mr. Vinod Parmar. Around 2.30 pm they were intercepted by four men, who sources say were close to the village sarpanch. They came on two bikes carrying iron rods and batons, and started hitting the HRD repeatedly, abused him by hurling derogatory casteist remarks and threatened to withdraw the RTI application he had filed recently. He suffered fractures in both his legs and hands as well as his elbow and had to undergo surgeries for this. Mr. Parmar’s brother was also attacked, and he called on 108 for emergency ambulance through which he was taken to the government hospital and admitted.

Because of the injuries suffered, the HRD had to undergo two surgical operations - one on his left hand and other on his leg. He is still in the hospital and receiving treatment. The Botad Police has filed a case against sarpanch Ms. Gabani, her husband Mr. Jasmat Gabani, son Mr. Sanjay Gabani and four unknown persons under Indian Penal Code sections 324, 325, 504, 506 (2) for causing hurt by dangerous weapon, causing grievous hurt, intentional insult and criminal intimidation along with sections of the Prevention of Atrocities against Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Act. The case has been transferred to SC/ST cell of Botad Police, Gujarat. However, there have been no arrests.