POLICE REFORMS WATCH
Urgent Press Statement.
Re: We condemn the Assault on Ms Deepti Ghosal, RTI Activist and Student of
Mira Road.
We urged both Shri Ratnakar Gaikwad, Chief Information Commissioner,
Maharashtra and Shri Julio Rebeiro, former Mumbai Police Commissioner to
intervene which they have done with the State Government and the Police.
We also condemn the attitude of the Mira Road police who did not take
appropriate action to prevent this assault and demand that the guilty police
officials must be taken to task.
We demand that a thorough and fast investigation into the assault and immediate
steps to arrest those responsible for this attack failing which civil society
groups will demonstrate outside the said Police Station .
POLICE REFORMS WATCH, MAHITI ADHIKAR MANCH, WATCHDOG FOUNDATION, SAVE OUR LAND
[SOUL] TEAM were shocked to read about the brutal attack on the College
Student, Ms Deepti Ghosal, an 18 year old RTI activist from Mira Road. This is
the latest in a series of attacks on RTI activists in the city as well as in
our state.
We requested Shri Ratnakar Gaikwad , State Chief Information Commissioner who
has taken up this matter with the Chief Secretary of Maharashtra , Shri J.K.
Bantia.
Copy of the said communication is enclosed.
-----Original Message-----
From: ratnakar_gaik...@hotmail.com
Date: Thu, 26 Sep 2013 02:29:14
To: Jayant Banthia<jayantbant...@yahoo.co.in>
Reply-To: ratnakar_gaik...@hotmail.com
Ratnakar Gaikwad 26/9/2013
Chief Information Commissioner,
Maharashtra
Dear Shri Banthia,
Of late,there has been sharp increase in number of assaults on RTI activists.
The recent assault on Ms Deepti Ghosal, RTI Activist and Student of Mira Road
is a cause for serious concern. As you are aware, the effective implementation
of RTI Act depends among other things on giving adequate protection to whistle
blowers/ RTI activists who expose the vested interests and corruption in Public
Authorities. Unfortunately, Govt has so far not taken effective and adequate
steps in the matter.
I would like to bring to your notice , a resolution passed in the meeting of
the Central Information Commission held on 13.9.2011 chaired by the then Chief
Information Commissioner, Shri Satyananda Mishra
"The Central Information Commission expresses regret and takes note of the
reported killings of and assault on the RTI users across the country. The
Commission underlines the need to take urgent steps by the respective
Governments for the safety and protection of the RTI users. The Commission
strongly believes that it is the duty and responsibility of the respective
Governments to safeguard the life and liberty of the RTI users for which
purpose they should invoke the relevant penal provisions for the prevention and
detection of such heinous crimes.".....
This commission therefore requests the state govt to take urgent steps in the
matter by issuing suitable instructions to Director General of Police,
Maharashtra as well as to all Commissioners of Police to take proactive and
effective steps to give protection to RTI Activists in the state.
Regards,
Ratnakar Gaikwad
Chief Information Commissioner,
Maharashtra
In addition, Shri Julio Rebeiro, the former Police Commissioner of Mumbai and
Trustee of PCGT has also taken up the matter with the Supdt of Police with a
copy to Spl.IGP - Law and Order Shri Deven Bharti which is enclosed for your
informatio.
The State Home Minister must walk the talk and ensure that appropriate action
is taken against the erring police officials and also provide all security to
the said student who is a women and her family.
We demand justice for this RTI ACTIVIST Ms Deepti Ghosal and also arrest of all
those responsible for this attack and protection to the victim and her family.
Dolphy Dsouza Bhaskar
Prabhu
Convenor
Convenor
POLICE REFORMS WATCH Mahiti Adhikar Manch
43, Kalina, Santacruz East, 09892102424
Mumbai 400 029.
Cell: 09820226227
Email: policereformswa...@gmail.com
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