RTI activist shot dead; cousin held within hours

JALANDHAR: An RTI activist, who had stepped out of his home without the armed police cover provided by govenment, was shot dead near a private university in Phagwara on Saturday morning.The murder sent shockwaves through the state as victim Simranjit Singh was known for approaching the courts on controversial issues and had also filed complaints against senior officials on the basis of RTI replies.Police said they solved the crime within hours, arresting his cousin Sharnjit Singh. A financial dispute led to the murder, they say.According to police, the activist had two Punjab Police gunmen, but he left his home alone in his Fortuner at 7.15am. Phagwara SP Madhvi Sharma said police were alerted at 11am that he was lying dead in Maheru village, 20km from here.Kapurthala SSP Gaurav Toora said Simranjit was shot twice from behind at close range.