SC denies anticipatory bail to Punjab RTI activist

The Supreme Court on Monday refused to grant anticipatory bail to a Punjab-based RTI activist and his aide, who are accused of obstructing a government road construction project, assaulting a public servant, and using caste-based derogatory remarks. The court, while dismissing the plea, questioned the authority of individuals to monitor public works and remarked that "RTI activism has become a new business."

A bench of Justices Sandeep Mehta and Vijay Bishnoi upheld a Punjab and Haryana High Court order from May 14 that had denied pre-arrest protection to activist Ramesh Kumar Behl, also referred to as Rakesh Kumar Behl, and co-accused Rajiv Kumar, alias Mintu. During the hearing, Justice Mehta stated, "RTI activism has become a new business. The Central government has issued funds, it will take care of the construction of roads. You are nobody. So-called RTI activist! Yellow journalism." Justice Bishnoi concurred, questioning, "Who are you to monitor the construction, all these road progress or all? Are you some superior authority?"

The case stems from an incident in Batala, in Punjab's Gurdaspur district, where an FIR was registered on February 20. According to the...