Police denies information under RTI to PM's wife

Information sought by Jashodaben, wife of prime minister Narendra Modi, on the security cover given to her through an RTI has been denied by the Mehsana police on the ground that her queries were related to local intelligence bureau (LIB) which is exempted under RTI Act.

"The information sought by her (Jashodaben) was related to the local intelligence bureau (LIB), therefore it could not have been given to her and we have sent a written communication about this development to her," Superintendent of Police J R Mothaliya of Mehsana district said.

The reply given in writing to her also says the same thing.
"The information sought by you (Jashodaben Modi) was related with the LIB and as per the Gujarat Home Department's resolution number SB.1/1020018203/GOI/62 dated November 25, LIB has been exempted from RTI Act and therefore the asked information cannot be given to you," said the letter written by the public information officer and Mehsana Deputy Superintendent of Police Bhakti Thakar to her.

In her RTI application filed before Mehsana Police on November 24, she had sought several documents related to the security cover given to her as per the protocol, including the certified copy of actual order passed by government about providing security.

She also wanted to know the laws and related provisions in Indian Constitution about security cover given to a PM's wife.

62-year-old Jashodaben had asked the government to explain the definition of protocol and sought details about what is included under it and what other benefits she is entitled for as per that protocol.

She also expressed unhappiness about the current security set-up, where her guards travel in government vehicles like car, while she, despite being a PM's wife, has to travel in public transport.

She also said that as former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was killed by her own security guards, she feel scared of her guards. She asked the government to make it compulsory for each guard to produce the copy of deployment order.

Jashodaben, a retired school teacher, lives with her brother Ashok Modi at Unjha town of Mehsana district. After Narendra Modi was sworn-in as Prime Minister on May 26, she has been given security by Mehsana police.

Mehsana police has deployed ten policemen, including armed guards, who work in two shifts.