Belagavi, 19 August

In a memorandum submitted to Sub-Divisional Officer Praveen Jain and the police, Government officials in Bailhongal subdivision alleged that some individuals were repeatedly filing RTI applications seeking old information without any apparent public interest and subsequently pressuring officials for money.

The officials alleged that they were being threatened with complaints, protests and other forms of harassment if they refused to meet the alleged monetary demands.

They also alleged that complaints were being submitted to senior authorities, putting officials under mental stress. According to the memorandum, some individuals later staged sit-ins and threatened hunger strikes outside the offices of senior officials to exert pressure.

The officials urged the authorities to conduct a thorough inquiry into such complaints and initiate legal action against those who allegedly misuse the RTI Act or pose as media personnel to threaten government officials. The officials also requested that complaints against government employees be verified through a proper inquiry before any action is initiated against them.