RTI activists demands suspension of Aurangabad Information

RTI activists across Maharashtra have demanded suspension of Information Commissioner of Aurangabad Division D B Deshpande, who has been booked by state Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), for his alleged involvement in Maharashtra Sadan scam.
Pune-based RTI activist Vijay Kumbhar has dashed off a letter to Maharashtra Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao demanding immediate suspension of Deshpande.
"I have the copy of the minutes of the meeting held on June 6, 2010 in which Deshpande was appointed as Information Commissioner of Aurangabad division on the recommendations of then Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal. This shows that there is big racket going on over the appointments of Information Commissioners," Kumbhar alleged.

On June 11, ACB had filed an FIR against senior NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal and 16 others including Deshpande in connection with the scam, which relates to awarding of contract for construction of new building of Maharashtra Sadan, the state government's guest house in New Delhi.
Another RTI activist Anil Galgali alleged, "Earlier former information commissioner Ramanand Tiwari, then MB Shaha and now D B Deshpande. Involvement of these commissioners have once again proved that the appointment of these commissioners have flouted all rules."
"I demand that entire process of appointment of information commissioners be overhauled," he said.
"Even Governor should take all possible steps to remove him from the post, if Deshpande does not quit the post on moral grounds," former Central Information Commissioner Shailesh Gandhi said.

During searches in the last two days, Maharashtra ACB found five flats owned by Deshapande, one each in Thane and Aurangabad and remaining ones in Pune, an ACB statement said.