Srinagar, July 24: Acting on a scholar’s complaint, the State Information Commission has summoned the Public Information officers of University of Kashmir and Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) Soura for hearing on July 26.
 The complainant, Arif Shah of Buchpora, a research scholar in Biochemistry Department in KU had sought information under Right to Information Act 2009 from both the institutions about the eligibility criteria in the selection of Junior Research Fellow (JRF) in the Department of Immunology at SKIMS and number of scholars admitted in M.phil program in 2011. Besides he had sought list of candidates who had submitted synopsis with Department Research Committee in Biochemistry.
 Shah said he had sought information in the backdrop of some “foul play” in the selection of JRF at Immunology Department and the ban on his entry in the laboratories of KU.
 “I was harassed and assaulted by faculty members in the Biochemistry Department. They were pressurizing me to withdraw RTI application which I refused. I had to suffer heavily for it,” he alleged.
 Elaborating, he said, “a senior faculty in the Varsity locked him inside the department and thrashed him ruthlessly on April 29 for filing the complaint.”
 “The Chief Proctor thrashed, abused and locked me inside the room till my parents arrived at 10 pm that evening. Next day when my father met the faculty to inquire about the incident, they told him to withdraw the RTI,” he said.
 Unfazed by “torture and harassment”, Biochemistry department next day barred him from entering laboratories. He brought the issue into the notice of Registrar KU. “However, I was shocked by his response. The official stated in a letter that I was not selected in M.Phil program as I did not submitted synopsis which is a blatant lie. I filed RTI to track the list of selected candidates in Mphil after my entry was restricted by authorities but got incomplete reply. PIO KU told me to get in touch with HOD Biochemistry department’.
 Though Shah said he had filed a written complainant with the Superintendent of Police Hazratabal, however, no action has been taken yet.
 The varsity has framed an enquiry committee on the directions of Vice Chancellor. “But the committee has not submitted its report which would finally land some officials into trouble. I presented my medical records before the Committee which clearly establishes  assault on me,” he said appealing the VC Talat Ahmad to take action against the hooliganism of these officials.”
 He has also approached National Human Rights Commission for justice.
 When contacted, Registrar Kashmir University S Fayaz Ahmad said he has not received the notice from SIC.
 “We provided information to the applicant however he was not satisfied. We will see what more he needs,” he said.
 Regarding the allegations, he said that a committee has been framed and it would submit its report soon.
 “The Committee’s report is in final stage. First I don’t believe it is true but there might be some exception,” he added.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 24 Jul 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 24 Jul 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 25 Jul 2011 00:00:00 IST