Supal inspector fined Rs 25k for rejecting RTI request

Patna: State information commissioner Prakash Kumar has imposed a penalty of Rs 25,000 on the then public information officer-cum-police inspector, Vasudev Ram, for violating the Right to Information (RTI) Act in Supaul district.

During the hearing, it emerged that the appellant, Nikesh Kumar Jha, had sought information on three points through registered post. However, the officer concerned allegedly refused to accept the application, prompting the appellant to file both first and second appeals.

In the course of the proceedings, the commission sought an explanation from Vasudev Ram, who claimed that the registered mail had never reached him. To verify this claim, the commission summoned the postman, Laldeo Ram, along with supporting evidence.

Appearing before the commission, the postman stated that when he went to deliver the registered letter, officials present in the office, including Vasudev Ram, refused to accept it, forcing him to return the mail.

Based on the postman’s testimony and the evidence presented, the commission concluded that Vasudev Ram had deliberately refused to receive the RTI application, amounting to a serious violation of the RTI Act.

Accordingly, the commission imposed a fine of Rs 25,000 and directed that the order be communicated to the Supaul DM, SP, treasury officer, and the accountant general for further action.