New Delhi: The Central Information
Commission has directed the Delhi Police to ensure the safety
of an RTI applicant who was allegedly pressurised by a group
of people against using the transparency law to bring out
information on unauthorised construction here.
Ajay Gakhar, an RTI activist of Jhilmil in Shahdara, had
filed a complaint on illegal construction in his area and
sought to know its status. Not getting a satisfactory answer,
he filed an appeal with MCD.
The appellate authority not only ordered to provide
information but also directed removal of the alleged illegal
construction in accordance with the provisions of the DMC Act.
It was after the orders that he was allegedly threatened
by a group of people who forced him to give a written
submission that he will never use RTI to get such information.
Gakhar reached Central Information Commission with his
plea and even produced the letter he was forced to write by a
group of about 50 people.
Taking cognisance of the matter, Information
Commissioner Shailesh Gandhi directed the Station House
Officer of Vivek Vihar to ensure Gakhar's safety.
PTI
First Published: Tuesday, July 12, 2011, 20:28