RTI applicants security and privacy

Querist : Anonymous (Querist) 25 June 2011 This query is : Resolved
There are so many incidents of deadly attacks on RTI activists and also threats, false cases etc. even by government agencies. Since information sought under RTI is supposed to be publicly available information, if an RTI applicant in order to safegaurd himself from such deadly attacks, false cases etc. and also to protect his privacy(since no privacy law in India) does not put in his real name and address in application, what legal cases he may face?

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prabhakar singh (Expert) 25 June 2011
offence of impersonation may get attracted

Advocate. Arunagiri (Expert) 25 June 2011
Even if you put a false name, which address you will give?

Social activists should not afraid of the rowdy elements.

mahendrakumar (Expert) 26 June 2011
unless you give your correct name and address in the rti application,how are you going to get the reply? and what purpose it serve?

depending upon the type of case you are following,the inherrant risk is to be accessed by you.

In real life,such risks are there. It is easily said that 'social activists should not afraid of the rowdy elements"

I feel,one should therefore venture into such cases carefully only.

Querist : Anonymous (Querist) 26 June 2011
@Advocate Arunagiri

"Even if you put a false name, which address you will give?"

Any address or a non existing address.

@mahendrakumar

"unless you give your correct name and address in the rti application,how are you going to get the reply?"

In RTI application mention that I will personally come and receive the reply. Go on any day say after 30 days and collect the information.

"I feel,one should therefore venture into such cases carefully only."

Thank you for a realistic and practical opinion.

Advocate. Arunagiri (Expert) 26 June 2011
If you give a non existing address, how you will get the reply letter from the office.

Querist : Anonymous (Querist) 26 June 2011
@ Advocate Arunagiri

In RTI application mention that I will personally come and collect the reply/information. Go on any day say after 30 days and collect the information. Also an email address can be provided for contact/communication.

mahendrakumar (Expert) 27 June 2011
even if you intent to collect the information in person,how can you eliminate the risk if any?

depending upon the information you want to collect,the opposite parties too can be alert like you.

in some cases,I have seen people using the help of far away friends for such informations.

Querist : Anonymous (Querist) 27 June 2011
@mahendrakumar

One cannot eliminate all the risks but one should try to minimize them as much possible.

Opposite parties can be alert but they won't know who is the RTI applicant and when he is going to visit to collect information.

Yes help of far away friends can be used but not always. If you read the following http://www.mid-day.com/news/2010/apr/060410-Delhi-RTI-activist-complaint-CIC-CBI.htm It appears that even a premier investigative agency of our country like CBI started sending musclemen to the house of friend of RTI applicant. That very day landlord issued notice to him to vacate his house.