Contempt case dropped against govt in RTI activists' security case

The state government on Tuesday submitted its notification to the High Court of Karnataka on its policy to protect whistle blowers and RTI activists whose life is under threat.

The notification, dated August 19, 2017, said a whistle blower or applicant under the Right to Information Act, 2005, who perceives a threat or danger to his/her life can submit an application to the additional superintendent of police/DySP of the district. After enquiring into the threat perception by calling for a threat analysis from the police inspector, district special branch/State Intelligence Officer of the district and depending upon the facts and circumstances, security would be provided. The notification also said that under no circumstances, security shall be provided to those involved in criminal cases.

Following the submission, a division bench comprising Justice Jayant Patel and Justice B A Patil dropped the contempt proceedings against the Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department. The petitioner, Umapathi S, had filed a contempt petition as the state government had failed to frame any policies in three month time. He had contended that there were increasing instances of attacks and murders of RTI activists and whistle blowers in the state. He contended that the government had failed to initiate action to protect these under threat.