Activist or blackmailer?
By: Savie Karnel Bangalore:
A BBMP employee has alleged that a so-called RTI activist has been blackmailing her. The alleged activist has a special RTI cell allocated for him in the BBMP office.
B S Alagusundaram, editor of Rama Ravana paper, is one of the two people who have a RTI cell specially set up for them to give in applications. The other regular is V Bhaskar, editor of a tabloid called Mahanagara Palike.
The special cell was set up after BBMP commissioner S Subramanya was tired of the many applications the duo filed each day at the BBMP office. Alagusundaram claims that he has filed more than 600 RTI applications so far.
Gowramma, an accountant in BBMP has accused Sundaram of blackmail and harassment. She got a job as a peon in the BBMP on compassionate grounds after her husband, a BBMP employee, died. "I joined as a Group D employee and later appeared for SSLC exams and cleared the departmental exams to get the job of a second division clerk," she said.
Documents forged?
Alagusundaram got some documents through RTI and he alleges that Gowramma has forged documents. But Gowramma claims that Alagusundaram has been harassing her and demanding Rs 1 lakh.
"This has been happening for the past six months. He calls me and demands money. Where can I get it from? I have to take care of three children. I get Rs 6,000 as salary with which I have to pay my rent and maintain household expenses too," she said.
She alleged that he calls her to places alone and then does not meet her, if she took anyone along. "He had called me to Hebbal some days ago. I had gone there with my brother. He didn't meet me. Instead he called and yelled."
Alagusundaram said that the picture in the SSLC hall ticket and marks card is not that of Gowramma, but she insists it is hers.
When MiD DAY contacted Alagusundaram, he was in denial mode. "I have not blackmailed her. I don't even have her number," he said.
Not eligible
He claims that he is using the RTI to find unworthy people in government service.
"She is not eligible to be a clerk. She doesn't know her job. Paying her is a waste of public money. I have got documents from Karnataka Exam Board, copies of the school where the SSLC exams were held and photos. My investigations show that she has forged documents. If I wanted to blackmail her why would I file a complaint?
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| Running away from truth? Alagusundaram ran away when he realised his picture was being taken |
B S Alagusundaram, editor of Rama Ravana paper, is one of the two people who have a RTI cell specially set up for them to give in applications. The other regular is V Bhaskar, editor of a tabloid called Mahanagara Palike.
The special cell was set up after BBMP commissioner S Subramanya was tired of the many applications the duo filed each day at the BBMP office. Alagusundaram claims that he has filed more than 600 RTI applications so far.
Gowramma, an accountant in BBMP has accused Sundaram of blackmail and harassment. She got a job as a peon in the BBMP on compassionate grounds after her husband, a BBMP employee, died. "I joined as a Group D employee and later appeared for SSLC exams and cleared the departmental exams to get the job of a second division clerk," she said.
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| A special cell (below) was allotted to him after BBMP commissioner was tired of the many petitions he filed |
Alagusundaram got some documents through RTI and he alleges that Gowramma has forged documents. But Gowramma claims that Alagusundaram has been harassing her and demanding Rs 1 lakh.
"This has been happening for the past six months. He calls me and demands money. Where can I get it from? I have to take care of three children. I get Rs 6,000 as salary with which I have to pay my rent and maintain household expenses too," she said.
She alleged that he calls her to places alone and then does not meet her, if she took anyone along. "He had called me to Hebbal some days ago. I had gone there with my brother. He didn't meet me. Instead he called and yelled."
Alagusundaram said that the picture in the SSLC hall ticket and marks card is not that of Gowramma, but she insists it is hers.
When MiD DAY contacted Alagusundaram, he was in denial mode. "I have not blackmailed her. I don't even have her number," he said.
Not eligible
He claims that he is using the RTI to find unworthy people in government service.
"She is not eligible to be a clerk. She doesn't know her job. Paying her is a waste of public money. I have got documents from Karnataka Exam Board, copies of the school where the SSLC exams were held and photos. My investigations show that she has forged documents. If I wanted to blackmail her why would I file a complaint?
On Thu, Jul 14, 2011 at 10:59 PM, Sarbajit Roy <sroy.mb@gmail.com> wrote:
Probe on against 'blackmailer' RTI applicant
Mon, Jun 16 02:21 AM
The Chhattisgarh State Information Commission has ordered an inquiry into complaints of misuse of the Right to Information (RTI) Act by an applicant.
The applicant, who is a member of a Janpad Panchayat, allegedly blackmailed officials of village panchayats into purchasing insurance policies after seeking information about them through RTI applications.
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