RTI activist who filed 69 applications kidnapped?

Vikram Chowdhary NDTV Saturday, July 18, 2009, (Ferozepur) Right to Information can right many wrongs. But in Kiran Pandey's experience, the backlash is equally severe. A month ago, Pandey had filed his latest application asking for information on the workings of the Cantonment Board in Ferozepur. He suspected corruption and embezzlement in the board and had already filed 69 applications over the past few years to gather evidence. An attempt was made on his life; he received threats. Then five days ago, he went for an evening walk - and never came back. The family suspects kidnapping. ''Earlier too, there was an attempt on his life. We suspect the Cantonment Board. Vice-Presiden t Joginder Singh and Satish Arora are behind this,'' says Rekha Pandey, Kiran's sister. For three days the police did not register a case. After fellow RTI activists took his disappearance to court, the Punjab-Haryana High Court issued notices to the Punjab Home Department to treat the case as critical. ''Police should immediately look into this. Otherwise we will be forced to resort to protests. This is criminal. How he has gone missing?'' asks Sukhdev Narang, lawyer, Ferozepur. They are insisting on protection for activist-whistleblowers who are often attacked. Just last week, it was a Sports Authority of India doctor in Patiala assaulted because he wanted to go public with malpractices in the organization.