Information on dalit killings in police firing yet to be furnished under RTI
22 Aug, 2013
In September 2012, three dalit youths were killed in police firing at Thangadh in Surendranagar district of Gujarat sparking statewide protests. In this respect, the Department of Home Affairs had formed a committee under the Principal Secretary, Department of Social Justice and Empowerment to investigate the Thangadh killings. The committee was to submit its report within a month. Later, a FIR was lodged against the accused police officials and investigation was handed over to CID Crime.
In January, 2013 an application was filed under the Right to Information (RTI) Act seeking to get the report of the committee about the incident and the minutes of cabinet meetings on the issue. However, the public information officer of the home department refused to provide the information stating that the special branch of the department was exempt from the purview of RTI Act.
The applicant then approached the Gujarat State Information Commission (SIC) which ordered the department to furnish the requested information. Despite the directions of the GIC, the information is yet to be furnished to the applicant.