Other States - Orissa   

‘Records on custodial deaths do not come under exemption category’

Staff Reporter

BHUBANESWAR: The State Information Commission on Tuesday said records on custodial deaths lying with Crime Branch cannot be bracketed in ‘exemption category’ under Right to Information Act.

Chief Information Commission D. N. Padhi asked the investigating agency to supply information on custodial deaths to a city-based human right activist by August 1. The direction came when agency presented argument that its operations could not be disclosed while denying information on these deaths to activist Biswapriya Kanungo.

Mr. Kanungo had sought detail information on custodial deaths and inquiries ordered on those incidents from 1989 to 2006 from the Home Department. However, he received half-compiled information as the Crime Branch was in-charge of inquiring into custodial deaths till 2001. After 2001, Human Rights Protection Cell operating under police department was given custodial deaths related matters for inquiry. Mr. Kanungo had argued that information on custodial deaths was no way related to security and intelligence matters and hence it should be made available to him. After hearing arguments, Mr. Padhi said since custodial deaths were human rights issues it should not be construed that it was in exemption category.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Village education panel shows the way
Death condoled
Two held on charge of cheating
Food poisoning: 7 killed
Gramarakshis seek better deal
Primitive tribals join stir against Vedanta
Dhauli peace park at snail’s pace
‘Records on custodial deaths do not come under exemption category’
Palasa-Cuttack DMU passengers robbed
Workshop held on value-based journalism
Ravenshaw varsity website back online
SEZ policy on drawing board

Copyright © 2007, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu