RTI activist caught red-handed with Rs 25 lakh in extortion case in Chandigarh

Diary Times News Service

Una, August 14: In a major breakthrough, the Himachal Pradesh Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau has arrested an RTI activist from Una with Rs 25 lakh in cash. The arrest was made as part of a sting operation in Chandigarh after the activist was accused of extorting money from stone crusher owners by misusing RTI filings.

The activist, named Raj Sharma, had allegedly collected information about various stone crushers and mining lease holders, highlighting minor lapses in their operations. He allegedly used this information to blackmail the owners and demanded huge sums from them. According to sources, Sharma initially demanded a bribe of Rs 1.5 crore from the crusher owners, though the amount was later reduced to Rs 75 lakh.

The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau had been monitoring Sharma’s activities for some time. After receiving information about the extortion plan, the bureau laid a trap in Chandigarh, where the first installment of Rs 25 lakh was to be handed over. As soon as Sharma accepted the cash, the vigilance officials caught him red-handed.

A case has been registered against Raj Sharma under various sections related to corruption and extortion. The bureau has launched an intensive investigation to unearth any further illegal activity and identify other possible victims of the activist’s extortion racket.

The incident has raised concerns about the misuse of the RTI Act by some individuals for personal gain. While the RTI Act is a powerful tool for transparency and accountability, such cases highlight the need for vigilance against its misuse.

Get The Latest News Of Himachal First On Mobile, Click Here To Join Our WhatsApp Group