RTI activist in trouble for asking too many questions

Agra, Aug 27 (IANS) You could be asking for trouble by asking too
many
questions under the Right to Information Act. This was learnt the
hard
way by an activist here, who was told by the police that he was
interfering in government work as he persisted with queries in the
case of a woman kept in a protection home for seven years without
being charged.RTI activist Naresh Paras of Amnesty International was
hauled up by an official at the Etmauddaula police station for asking
too many questions and "harassing the superintendent of the Women's
Protection Home by persistently pressing for information" . This,
according to the police, constitutes "interference in government
work".

About six months ago, IANS highlighted the plight of Munni, 22, who
had been detained in the protection home for apparently no reason.
She
had neither been charged with any crime nor declared insane.

For over seven years she stayed in the home. Under pressure from
human
rights activists, she was sent to Kanpur two months ago.

Paras had wanted some specific information about her case. The
questions were not answered and Munni's file was tossed from one
department to another department.

On Saturday, Paras was summoned by the officer in charge of the
Etmauddaula police station after a complaint was filed by the
protection home superintendent Geeta Rakesh.

Rakesh denied lodging any written complaint, but admitted to having
orally complained to the police official.

Rakesh told IANS that she had never refused to give information, but
the RTI activist was never satisfied.

"Some of the questions he asked were irrelevant, like who is
responsible for Munni's `Barbadi' (depredation) ? How can I name any
official?" Rakesh said.

Paras Tuesday submitted memorandums to police and administrative
officials asking for protection as he perceived a threat to his life.