RTI activist sent notine in ’08 omb blasts case

expressbuzz.com

By Imran Khan

27 Apr 2010 08:27:16 AM IST

BANGALORE: Shaikh Shafi Ahmed, an Right to Information (RTI) activist from Gulbarga who has filed more than 500 RTI applications, has been summoned by the Bangalore police for investigations in the 2008 bomb blasts case.

According to Shafi Ahmed, he is being targeted by the police since they do not want to furnish information that would show the state’s police in poor light.

ACP HM Omkaraiah of Sheshadripuram served a notice on Shafi Ahmed under criminal procedure asking him to appear before him and give a statement regarding the blast cases. “We have information that Shafi Ahmed has some information related to the Bangalore blasts case,” said Omkaraiah.

Shafi Ahmed had filed an application under the RTI Act on August 22, 2009, seeking information on the communal incidents in Karnataka between 2006 and 2009.

Since no information was furnished by the police, Shafi Ahmed approached the Karnataka Information Commission on November 23.

The commission directed the government to furnish details sought by Shafi Ahmed within 30 days.

Subsequently, the commissioner of police ordered all information to be given to him.

Shafi Ahmed denied having any knowledge of any document related to the 2008 blasts. “It is a blatant attempt by the police to harass me and dissuade an RTI activist from seeking information, which is not to the liking of the police,” he said.