Article Chennai: RTI activist jailed for refusing to stand at hearing

[Deepu]

In a bizarre case, an RTI activist has been jailed for refusing to stand at a hearing. The RTI activist had asked for a chair so that he could sit in front of a 2-member bench hearing an appeal at the headquarters in Chennai.

The victim, NGO Satta Panchayat Iyakkam President Siva Elango, asked for a chair during the hearing of a second appeal after Tamil Nadu State Information Commission rejected his RTI application. When the RTI activist took the chair, they lodged a complaint with the Teynampet Police.

He has been booked under IPC Sections 353 (preventing a government servant from discharging his duty), 294 (b) (obscenity) and 506 (1) (criminal intimidation) The court has remanded the RTI applicant Elango in judicial custody for 15 days.

Chennai: RTI activist jailed for refusing to stand at hearing - IBNLive

 

[Technoglitch]

RTI has numerous backlogs after BJP came into power.

 

[NinadG]

TN govt should do something to arrest such behaviour from State Information Commissioner.......

 

[IndianMascot]

But as per Court code of conduct, he should have been standing. Isn't it ?

 

[DashMajor]

But as per Court code of conduct, he should have been standing. Isn't it ?

Obviously because he's fighting the case and if he's not concerning then who else.

 

[NinadG]

But it seems its the office of the State info comm.....?

 

[IndianMascot]

Actually i am unable to understand why he demanded chair and why he was sent to judicial custody.