'Decide on releasing Thangadh report'

Times of India‎‎: Ahmedabad: Wednesday, September 07, 2016.

The state information commissioner has directed the home department to take a decision on making public the inquiry report of the 2012 Thangadh killings. Four dalit youths were killed in police firing.

The commission questioned the home department's refusal to disclose the report. The home department had cited exemptions and had stated that the release of the report may harm the integrity of the country and incite hatred among sections of society. "This commission cannot accept the argument of the first appellate officer (deputy commissioner of the state home department)," said the order passed by V S Gadhvi, the state information commissioner.

"The commission cannot accept the contention that as this issue comes under the purview of the state legislative assembly, divulging information will breach the rights of the state legislative assembly," said the order passed on August 22. "The commission has recommended that decision be taken on the report at the earliest. After taking a decision, a copy of the report shall be given to the petitioner."

The order came in connection with an RTI application filed by a dalit activist, Kirit Rathod, asking for the inquiry report prepared by former principal secretary, social justice and empowerment department, Sanjay Prasad. The report has not been made public.

On intervening night of September 22 and 23, in 2012, three dalit youths - Pankaj Sumra (16), Mehul Rathod (17), and Prakash Parmar (26) - were killed in police firing in Thangadh town. The police had fired while trying to control a clash between members of two communities. The state government had asked Prasad to conduct an inquiry. He submitted the report to the government on May 1, 2013. Rathod had filed an RTI application in January 2013 seeking a copy of Prasad's report but his request was denied. He then approached the Gujarat Information Commission last year. The GIC directed the home department to provide the report, except details that are exempted under the RTI Act.