Activists, cops talk about easy access to info in Gujarat

The one-day state level seminar on proactive disclosure in police departments under the Right to Information Act - 2005 saw both activists and police officials discussing ways and means to make access to information easy.

Poonam Kathuria of Society for Women's Action and Training Initiative (SWATI) said that merely putting up a board in various police stations stating what information will be available from the said place will go a long way in helping matters.

When asked if a mere board would help in better dissemination of information, she replied in affirmative. "Right now people don't even know where to get information or what information is available under RTI from a police station," said Kathuria.

Nawaz Kothwal of Common Wealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) spoke about the need to sensitise the police force in dealing with people seeking information, particularly those sought by women and members of the marginalised community.

Chetna Chaudhary, inspector of Karanj police station clarified as to why police often first counselled a woman who comes to register a complaint against her family or husband. "Counselling is part of our job. We tell the women what exactly a particular section entails and the repercussions on it for the accused. Even after that, if she insists on filing the case under that section we take her complaint," said Chaudhary.

DCP Control, MK Nayak, talked about the redressal available if a police official refuses to divulge information regarding a particular case.