Make public information sought by slain RTI activist: CIC

Chief Information Commissioner of Maharashtra Ratnakar Gaikwad today asked authorities to ensure a thorough probe into the murder of RTI activist Bhupendra Vira and make public the information sought by him.
He gave the direction on a complaint filed by former Central Information Commissioner Shailesh Gandhi under the RTI Act.
In his order, Gaikwad asked the Chief Secretary, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) and Police Commissioner to carry out a thorough probe into the incident.
He directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to upload on its website information sought by Vira through applications pending with its Public Information Officers (PIOs).
"The Municipal Commissioner shall review all pending applications filed with various PIOs in BMC by Bhupendra Vira during the last one year and ensure information sought is put on the BMC website before October 31, 2016 without fail," Gaikwad said.

The CIC said Additional Chief Secretary (GAD) shall review pending RTI applications filed by Vira during the last one year with various public authorities other than BMC and make sure information sought is put on the government websites concerned before October 31.

Besides seeking a probe, Gandhi, in his complaint to Gaikwad, a former Chief Secretary, had urged him to order authorities to make public information sought by Vira.
The 72-year-old campaigner, who had taken on land mafia and encroachers, had filed applications with BMC and Slum Rehabilitation Authority and Lokayutka, among others.
Gandhi had also appealed to the CIC to direct the police department to provide security to Vira's family.

Vira, who had exposed encroachers and unauthorised constructions in and around Kalina area, was shot dead on Saturday night at his residence in suburban Santacruz.
Former Corporator Razzaq Khan and his son were today arrested in connection with the murder, which police suspect, is a fallout of a land dispute.