Unknown caller tried to influence me to withdraw RTI query: Applicant

Sandeep Rana

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 11

Accusing the office of the Director of the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) of leaking information, an RTI applicant complained to him that after filing an application seeking information regarding the appointment of the current Medical Superintendent (MS), he started receiving calls from an unknown lawyer, who tried to influence him to withdraw the application. He said it was against provisions of the RTI Act.

“I received phone calls from Chandigarh, probably from the GMCH and an unknown lawyer, regarding my RTI application. This amounts to leaking of information from your office and can be regarded as an attempt to influence the person asking information. I request you to take an appropriate action against those who indulged in such unlawful activities,” read the appeal filed by Kanwalpreet Singh, a resident of Delhi.

Moreover, he said the information provided to him was unsatisfactory and misleading. 

“The reply has not been satisfactory. It gave wrong information. It was misleading and concealed the facts purposely. Kindly, provide me the right information and initiate appropriate action against the Chief Public Information Officer (CPIO) for furnishing wrong information,” the plea added.

The petitioner had asked if Prof Ravi Gupta was appointed on the basis of seniority or selection? The CPIO replied that he was given the additional charge with the approval of the UT Administrator, but it did not specify the selection process. Similarly, there were issues with other replies too.