RTI applicant asked to prove nationality

by Psu Connect
Date:

Kochi: Did an uncommon name like Reny Ayline prompt the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to seek his citizenship for a getting a reply under the Right to Information (RTI) Act?

Reny Ayline, vice-president of the Kerala chapter of National Confederation of Human Rights Organizations (NCHRO) had approached the NIA court in Kochi seeking reply to his RTI queries

ShTo his surprise, Reny received a letter from the public relation officer of the NIA court office in Kochi asking proof of his nationality. The reply quoted Frequently Answered Questions (1.2), terming it as clause under the Act, while seeking the information from the applicant.ort spThe public relation officer asked proof or affidavit showing his nationality as Indian and to produce it at the earliest. "I have been filing RTI queries for many years. Though many officers denied replies saying baseless reasons or secretive nature of the subject, I had never received a letter inquiring about nationality. I am living in this country paying all the taxes. There is no secretive nature in the questions I have asked. But I will move forward with the queries by submitting proof of my nationality of Indian citizenship," Reny said

RTI activists say information officers can ask the nationality of the RTI applicant if they have suspicion over his/her citizenshipan of 10 months, SBI witnessed such great response from its stakeholders. Times of India

RTI applicant asked to prove nationality

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