Info chief asks activists to take legal course

A defiant chief information commissioner Ratnakar Gaikwad told a group of civil activists that he alone could not be held responsible for decisions, in particular the wrong ones, taken during his tenure chief secretary and metropolitan commissioner.

A defiant chief information commissioner Ratnakar Gaikwad told a group of civil activists that he alone could not be held responsible for decisions, in particular the wrong ones, taken during his tenure chief secretary and metropolitan commissioner. The former bureaucrat asked activists to take legal course if his replies did not satisfy them.

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On Monday, Gaikwad met right to information activists following their demand that they be given chance to place before him documents that proved violations. The interaction that lasted over 90 minutes in the presence of media at Gaikwad’s office turned out to be a cross-examination of the information chief who took over last Friday. Earlier, the activists had petitioned the governor to review Gaikwad’s appointment.

Senior city activist Krishnaraj Rao opened the forum. Sulaiman Bhimani, Anil Galgali, GR Vora, Mohammad Afzal and Kamalakar Shenoy questioned Gaikwad over several matters.

Activists were happy that Gaikwad offered them opportunity to cross-examine him but were far from satisfied. They have now decided to take a legal course as suggested by Gaikwad.