The PMO has denied entry to an RTI activist at an event for the start of declassification of the files related to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, citing “capacity” constraints of the venue.
The PMO has denied entry to an RTI activist at an event for the start of declassification of the files related to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, citing “capacity” constraints of the venue.
The event to be held on Saturday will have the family members of Bose and some others concerned.
Noted RTI activist Subhash Agrawal has been closely following the case and had filed a number of RTIs arguing that the people of India want to know about the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of Netaji. He had filed an application in 2013 before the CPIO, PMO, seeking information pertaining to Bose.
The CIC had then directed the PMO to keep Mr Agrawal updated regarding Bose. While Mr Agrawal had requested the PMO for an invitation to participate in the function, the PMO said, “It is informed that your request was considered and it is regretted that the same cannot be accommodated due to capacity constraints of the venue. You may, however, visit the exhibition to be held subsequently after the day of the inaugural event.”
According to Mr Agrawal, the government has been handling the case in a suspicious manner as even the verdict from the CIC did not come easy. A priority hearing on the petition was held in August 2015. “Surprisingly, the verdict was kept ‘reserved’ suspiciously by then chief information commissioner Vijay Sharma for reasons best known to him,” Mr Agrawal said.
Earlier the concerned government departments denied him information, submitting “that information pertains to matters, which, if disclosed, would jeopardise friendly relations with foreign nations”.
However, Mr Agrawal repeatedly filed applications stating that the “government is the repository of such files and that the public interest outweighs protected interests”, requesting that the information be disclosed under Section 8(2) of the act. Accordingly, the CIC directed the PMO that Mr Agrawal be kept updated about the declassification of filed relating to Bose.
“It would have been better if the PMO would have exhibited its dedication for the transparency act by accepting a simple request,” Mr Agrawal said.
