MANGALORE: The Information Commission which has taken strong exception to the failure
of the Mangalore Rural (Kankanady)Station Sub-Inspector Prakash for his failure to furnish the
information sought by Joel Praveen Vas of Adyarpadavu, has warned of imposing a penalty. The
Commission has instructed him to personally appear for a hearing before it on September 20.
Joel Vas had sought some information from the Assistant Administrative Officer of the DK
District Police Headquarters on 20-7-2010 with regard to some cases registered in the rural
police station. The application had been transferred to the Mangalore Rural police station asking
it to furnish the information within the stipulated time under Right to Information Act Column
(3) 6. But, the information was denied by the station. Following this, Joel had complained to the
Commission on 21-9-2010 and a summons was issued to the Assistant Administrative officer of
the District Police Headquarter s on 9-6-2011.
As the Mangalore Rural police station came under the Commissionerate, the Assistant
Administrative Officer wrote a letter to the Commission stating that the summons has been sent
to the Public Relations Officer of the Commissioner?s office.
Joel?s application was later once again transferred to the Mangalore rural station. The SI was
instructed to lodge a written statement before 27-6-2011 or appear for the hearing. But the SI
instead of personally appearing before the court had sent head constable Uday Gowda as his
representative.
The Information Commission has expressed its strong resentment for the failure to furnish
information to the applicant and also for not appearing personally for hearing and has served a
notice questioning why he should not be penalized. It has sought a reply within 15 days.
The officer has been instructed to furnish the information within 15 days and submit a copy of
the same to the commission and also appear personally for the hearing on 20-9-2011.
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