RTI activist’s suicide: HC dismisses PIL seeking compensation.

Ahmedabad Newsline:Friday, September 30, 2011.

The Gujarat High Court on Thursday dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) demanding compensation to the family members of RTI activist Jabbardan Gadhvi who had immoltaed himself in Bhuj in October last year. The petition had also sought action against the responsible persons behind the entire episode.

The court dismissed the petition on the ground that it was devoid of public interest and that the petitioner has alternate remedy available.

The petition was moved by People’s Union for Civil Liberties and Jabbardan’s brother Mavaldan Gadhvi.

Jabbardan ended his life on October 22 last year after he was allegedly denied some revenue records related to his ancestral land by the local authorities under the RTI Act. He had made his intentions clear a few days before his self-immolation.

Mavaldan had lodged a complaint against three persons - a local mamlatdar, a talati and a sub-inspector - for abetting and not preventing the suicide. However, the three have challenged the FIR at the HC, which has stayed the investigation in the case.

While dismissing the PIL, the HC observed that the criminal prosecution was already initiated against the three accused officers and that the petitioners had alternate remedy available if they were not satisfied with the probe so far.