Overview
- Atmaram Patil, a Right to Information activist, was beaten to death at a Shirgaon quarry on Tuesday after he accompanied revenue staff for an inspection, and circle officer Prabhakar Patil was left seriously injured.
- Mahesh Patil, named as the main accused, was arrested on Thursday in Dahanu while allegedly trying to flee, and police say they have also taken his brother Pratik and their father, quarry owner Bhalchandra Patil, into custody.
- The FIR cites murder, attempt to murder, assault on a public servant, and obstruction of official duty, and investigators have seized blood samples, broken sticks and stones, vehicle parts, and nearby CCTV footage.
- Senior officers say the suspects pointed to complaints by the victim and allies that led to the quarry’s sealing in January, and family members reported earlier threats and past attacks tied to the same dispute.
- Protests by relatives and RTI groups continued outside Virar police station, and the tehsildar ordered checks across all Vasai mines as residents allege illegal blasting has persisted even at sites listed as closed.