RTI applicant threatened by DDK official; moves court.

Kashmir Dispatch; Monday , July 25 , 2011,

A contractual news caster in Doordarshan Kendra Srinagar has alleged that a top official of the station intimidated and threatened him, after he filed an RTI application to seek information about financial matters of station’s news section.

Ghulam Mohammed Parrey alias Shabnam Vijpiary filed a compliant with the Chief Judicial Magistrate Srinagar, who in his order asked the Sub Division Police Officer Nehru Park, to enquire into the allegations of criminal intimidation and life threat by Bashir Malik, director News Doordarshan Kendra Srinagar.

The CJM directed the SDPO to look into the allegations filed under section 500 Cr PC and 506 RPC against the director News DDK Srinagar and submit the report within 15 days.

Parrey had sought information about the beneficiaries and payments disbursed over the years by the regional news unit Srinagar under RTI Act 2005.

Malik despite orders by Prasar Bharati executives declined to provide the requisite information to the RTI applicant.

“He (Malik) not only declined information but leveled allegations against Vijpari in a local newspaper that he (Vijpari) had assaulted three girls in the newsroom and had been removed from the organization because of his bad character,” Parrey’s counsel said.