RTI activists get legal aid

Times of India: Hyderabad: Tuesday, 11 November 2014.

With RTI activists increasingly facing threats and roadblocks on seeking sensitive information, they finally seem to have got some legal backing to help them fight back. An organisation of lawyers called Human Rights Legal Network is taking to court whenever an activist finds himself in trouble or the information requested is not disposed within 30 days.

These activists have been taking up the mantle to ensure complete transparency in the way a government organisation functions, but in due process, often fall prey to threats and attacks while trying to challenge corruption. Activists also pointed out that malpractices prevalent in the bureaucratic setup will be easier to deal with the support of an advocate. "If an activist requests legal aid and his case has merit, we take up the cause free of charge," said M Chalapati, a member of the network.