Mumbai: Police detains RTI activist seeking demolition of illegal market detained after self-immolation threat

Mumbai police detained a 48-year-old RTI activist after he threatened to immolate himself outside the BMC's ward office in Kurla demanding demolition of a market, which was allegedly constructed illegally by the brother of a prominent politician, an official said.

The activist, Vinod Sonkamble, was detained in the afternoon after he reached the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) L-ward office, during which the police recovered a petrol-filled bottle from him, he said. Sonkamble was detained after he reached outside the civic ward office. He was brought to the police station and interrogated. 

He had recently informed the Mumbai police as well as the L-ward office that he will immolate himself since a local market, which belongs to the younger brother of an influential politician, was not demolished by the civic body despite its order, the police official said.

Sonkamble said, The BMC had last month issued an order for the demolition of the market, which comprises hundreds of illegal galas (shops). But it is yet to be pulled down just because it belongs to the brother of a politician. But I will keep fighting. He said he brought a petrol-filled bottle with him in a bid to immolate himself. Investigation into the case is on, the police said.