Harassed by litigants,will approach cops: Info panel boss

“We will submit a written complaint to police about attempts to blackmail the SIC and even threaten the staff,” SIC deputy secretary Raviraj Phalle told this paper on Monday. “In fact,we had gone to the police with a written complaint today but since senior police officers were not available,we will file it on Tuesday,” he said.

Kuvlekar said he wouldn’t have asked his staff to file the complaint,but this intereference had irritated him so much that it was affecting RTI work and hearing of cases. “The staff were also suffering due to unwarranted and unnecessary pressure tactics adopted by litigants,” Phalle said.

Kuvlekar’s office in the new administrative building in front of the Divisional Commissioner’s office is devoid of any security. Anyone,including complainants and defendants,have free access to the fourth-floor office. For the record,Kuvelkar has no personnel security. The room where Kuvlekar conducts hearings also sees free flow of litigants with nobody to stop them from defiling the sanctity of a courtroom. “A few days back,a man barged into the room when I was conducted a hearing and started to fire questions at me. I told him I would answer his questions after I finish the hearing. But he insisted I respond. This kind of situations are becoming regular,” said Kuvlekar,adding,he had been bestowed with little powers to set such things in order.

Phalle said litigants who believe their case was not getting due urgency use such tactics. “We cannot jump the queue at litigants’ whims and fancies. Everything is done as per laid down norms,” he said.

Fast disposal under Kuvlekar
Vijay Kuvlekar as State Information Commissioner has earned accolades from RTI activists for quick disposal of cases. Over a month back,he set a record of sorts by conducting 70 hearings in a day. “This is possible because the SIC takes home the files,studies them thoroughly and readies his orders to be delivered the next day,” say employees.