DT Next: Chennai: Wednesday, 22 October 2025.
In a similar incident, A Thiruselvan from Irrukkandurai panchayat, Tirunelveli district, had sought copies of the approved quarrying plan and implementation details of a local panchayat resolution
Arappor Iyakkam has urged
the State government to take immediate action to protect citizens who file
Right to Information (RTI) applications, citing a series of incidents in which
applicants were allegedly threatened after their identities were revealed by
Public Information Officers (PIOs).
In a letter addressed to the Chief Minister, the organisation’s convenor, Jayaram Venkatesan, said that the identity of RTI applicants continued to be compromised by government officials despite repeated directions from the Centre since 2011 and a Calcutta High Court order in 2014 prohibiting disclosure.
“Day in and day out, people seeking information under RTI face threats. PIOs continue to reveal the identity of applicants to vested interests, who in turn intimidate or even attack them,” the letter stated.
The organisation cited three recent cases. In Keezhpennathur, Tiruvannamalai district, Janakiraman, who sought details under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and Amrut 2.0 schemes, was allegedly summoned by Town Panchayat President Saravanan and other staff and pressured to give a written promise not to file RTIs again. His family members continue to face reminders to submit the letter.
Another Keezhpennathur resident, Ajith Kumar, who sought information on Town Panchayat funds, was similarly threatened through his family and asked to withdraw from seeking information.
In Tirunelveli, A Thiruchelvan, who filed an RTI seeking quarry approvals, was allegedly threatened by quarry owner Peter Robin, who warned his son Tony against filing such applications. A complaint was lodged with the Sub-Collector, but the action taken remains unclear.
Arappor Iyakkam has sought disciplinary action against the PIOs and officials who disclosed applicants’ identities, as well as against those who issued threats. The organisation also called for the protection of the affected applicants and the early implementation of a Whistleblower Protection Act to safeguard RTI activists and honest public servants.
“The government’s silence in this regard would only mean tacit approval of this violation,” the letter warned.
In a similar incident, A Thiruselvan from Irrukkandurai panchayat, Tirunelveli district, had sought copies of the approved quarrying plan and implementation details of a local panchayat resolution
 |
| Activists
of Arappor Iyakkam on Tuesday showed their findings based on the RTI reply to the media (File photo) |
In a letter addressed to the Chief Minister, the organisation’s convenor, Jayaram Venkatesan, said that the identity of RTI applicants continued to be compromised by government officials despite repeated directions from the Centre since 2011 and a Calcutta High Court order in 2014 prohibiting disclosure.
“Day in and day out, people seeking information under RTI face threats. PIOs continue to reveal the identity of applicants to vested interests, who in turn intimidate or even attack them,” the letter stated.
The organisation cited three recent cases. In Keezhpennathur, Tiruvannamalai district, Janakiraman, who sought details under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and Amrut 2.0 schemes, was allegedly summoned by Town Panchayat President Saravanan and other staff and pressured to give a written promise not to file RTIs again. His family members continue to face reminders to submit the letter.
Another Keezhpennathur resident, Ajith Kumar, who sought information on Town Panchayat funds, was similarly threatened through his family and asked to withdraw from seeking information.
In Tirunelveli, A Thiruchelvan, who filed an RTI seeking quarry approvals, was allegedly threatened by quarry owner Peter Robin, who warned his son Tony against filing such applications. A complaint was lodged with the Sub-Collector, but the action taken remains unclear.
Arappor Iyakkam has sought disciplinary action against the PIOs and officials who disclosed applicants’ identities, as well as against those who issued threats. The organisation also called for the protection of the affected applicants and the early implementation of a Whistleblower Protection Act to safeguard RTI activists and honest public servants.
“The government’s silence in this regard would only mean tacit approval of this violation,” the letter warned.
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