GreaterKashmir.com; Tuesday,02 Aug 2011.
Srinagar, Aug 1: A day after a youth from north Kashmir’s Sopore town died in police custody, the Home Department in Jammu and Kashmir has faced some blunt queries about the incident under the Right to Information Act (RTI).
The 28-year old shopkeeper, Nazim Rashid was allegedly tortured to death in police custody on Sunday, triggering widespread condemnation. The family members of Nazim Rashid said their son was picked up by the Special Operations Group (SOG) of Police and army on Saturday afternoon for questioning in connection with the killing of a civilian in the area.
On Monday, convener of the J&K RTI Movement, Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat, filed an application in the State Home Department, seeking some vital details about the incident.
THE QUESTIONS;
Bhat has asked certain pointed questions to the Department, under which the J&K Police operates. The queries include: Why was Nazim Rashid arrested and what were the charges levelled against him? Was any FIR filed against him, if yes, provide a copy of the same. What was the time and date of his arrest and who were the police officials who arrested him? What was the total time for which Nazim Rashid was under custody of Army and Police and who were the officials who interrogated him? What was the official or preliminary cause of his death? Had the deceased complained of any illness or discomfort before his death in custody and was any first-aid given or was he treated for the same by any medical officer. If yes, provide the details of the incident. Where the parents informed officially about the death of their son? Was the post-mortem process video-recorded as per the Supreme Court guidelines? Provide the names of officers/magistrate who conducted the post-mortem.
“This is an important issue on which I felt that the RTI should be filed. There is a wrong notion that RTI is only meant to seek information on corruption related cases which is not the case. These are the issues where RTI can be effectively used,” Bhat told Greater Kashmir.
WHAT THE ACT SAYS;
As per the RTI Act of 2009, the government is supposed to divulge the information within 30 days from the date of filing of the application.
The 28-year old shopkeeper, Nazim Rashid was allegedly tortured to death in police custody on Sunday, triggering widespread condemnation. The family members of Nazim Rashid said their son was picked up by the Special Operations Group (SOG) of Police and army on Saturday afternoon for questioning in connection with the killing of a civilian in the area.
On Monday, convener of the J&K RTI Movement, Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat, filed an application in the State Home Department, seeking some vital details about the incident.
THE QUESTIONS;
Bhat has asked certain pointed questions to the Department, under which the J&K Police operates. The queries include: Why was Nazim Rashid arrested and what were the charges levelled against him? Was any FIR filed against him, if yes, provide a copy of the same. What was the time and date of his arrest and who were the police officials who arrested him? What was the total time for which Nazim Rashid was under custody of Army and Police and who were the officials who interrogated him? What was the official or preliminary cause of his death? Had the deceased complained of any illness or discomfort before his death in custody and was any first-aid given or was he treated for the same by any medical officer. If yes, provide the details of the incident. Where the parents informed officially about the death of their son? Was the post-mortem process video-recorded as per the Supreme Court guidelines? Provide the names of officers/magistrate who conducted the post-mortem.
“This is an important issue on which I felt that the RTI should be filed. There is a wrong notion that RTI is only meant to seek information on corruption related cases which is not the case. These are the issues where RTI can be effectively used,” Bhat told Greater Kashmir.
WHAT THE ACT SAYS;
As per the RTI Act of 2009, the government is supposed to divulge the information within 30 days from the date of filing of the application.
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