Home / Crime and Justice / Police Penalized for Denying RTI Footage
Police Penalized for Denying RTI Footage
4 Jul
Summary
- Police officers fined Rs 25,000 each for RTI denial.
- CCTV footage sought after alleged illegal detention.
- Commission orders footage release with privacy masked.
The Madhya Pradesh State Information Commission has levied a Rs 25,000 penalty on two former Gorakhpur police station officials in Jabalpur. This action stems from their refusal to provide CCTV footage requested by a citizen under the Right to Information (RTI) Act. The footage was sought to substantiate claims of illegal detention exceeding 24 hours.
The complainant alleged being picked up by police last June and held without proper cause. When requesting station diary entries and relevant CCTV recordings, the Public Information Officer and the first appellate authority denied access. Reasons cited included protecting the privacy of women and informants.
However, the State Information Commission found these justifications inadequate. It mandated the release of the CCTV footage, stipulating that any other individuals appearing in the recording must have their identities concealed. The commission also instructed the director general of police to enforce timely disposal of RTI appeals within the department.
