Basavaraj F Kattimani, TNN, Dec 4, 2010,
HUBLI: A law professor is facing the music for "allegedly" not providing information under the RTI Act to a petitioner and disobeying the order of Karnataka Information Commission (KIC).
Dr K R Aithal, professor of law and former dean of law college of Karnatak University (KU, Dharwad), was fined Rs 25,000 for not providing information to the petitioner sought under RTI. KIC also directed him to provide a compensation of Rs 1,000 to the petitioner.
According to the KIC order copy available with STOI, Krishna B Patil of Belgaum had on August 17, 2009, sought information under RTI Act about the total number of students admitted to the law college between 2003 and 2009.
After failing to get information even after a few months, Patil approached KIC. Hearing his case, KIC directed the dean to furnish the details on March 4 and June 30 this year. When the dean disobeyed its orders, KIC on October 10 imposed fine and directed him to provide compensation. KIC observed that information was denied deliberately with a malafide intention.
KIC also directed KUD vice-chancellor to initiate disciplinary action against the professor under CCA rules for denying information and disobeying its order.
Speaking to the `Sunday Times of India', KUD V-C H B Walikar said every officer must give information as per the RTI Act. "I came to know about the incident a couple of days ago. I will look into this and take proper action as per KIC order," he added.
Aithal said he will challenge KIC order in the court as "some people have misled the commission to tarnish my image".
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