Nanjibhai Sondarva

On 9th March 2018, human rights defender and community leader, Nanjibhai Sondarva, 35, was found dead  in Kotada Sangani Taluka in Rajkot district.

Nanjibhai Sondarva was allegedly clubbed to death by six persons. His crime? He had filed an RTI (Right to Information) application demanding transparency about funds spent on the construction of a road in his village.

One and a half years previously, he and other members of his family were assaulted by a local official (Sarpanch) who was said to be furious at Nanjibhai for using RTI to expose financial irregularities in the developmental works undertaken in the village.

If you would like to provide a personal recollection, please email us at: HRDMemorial@frontlinedefenders.org

Region:Asia-Pacific

Country:India

Department/Province/State:Gujarat

Nickname:no information

Sex1:Male

Age:35

Date of Killing:09/03/2018

Previous Threats:Yes

Type of Work:NGO member

Organisation:resident of Manekwada village

Sector or Type of Rights the HRD Worked On:ESC Rights

Sector Detail:Abuse of power/corruption, Freedom of Expression, Human rights movement

More information:Front Line Defenders

1This database records an individual's chosen gender identity. If they do not self-identify as male or female they can use the option of recording other/neither or use the term NBGI (non binary gender identity).

URLs (links) of Interest
The Times of India
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/rajkot/villager-who-sought-info-under-rti-clubbed-to-death/articleshow/63249341.cms
Money life
https://www.moneylife.in/article/two-more-rti-activists-murdered-no-end-seen-to-this-sordid-saga/53562.html
Asia Forum
https://www.forum-asia.org/?p=26031
For further information contact

contact@hrdmemorial.org