Ashish Chaturvedi

RTI Activist

Madhya Pradesh

HRDA has issued an urgent appeal to the National Human Rights Commission of India on September 22 regarding the surveillance by police on Mr. Ashish Chaturvedi. Mr. Chaturvedi is a RTI/Social Activist and a well-known Whistle Blower of the multi-crore Madhya Pradesh Professional Examination Board (MPPEB) scam, popularly known as ‘VYAPAM’.

Mr. Chaturvedi, after obtaining documents regarding irregularities in the medical entrance examination through the Right to Information Act and ascertaining the seriousness of the matter, had filed several complaints before the Madhya Pradesh authorities. Mr. Chaturvedi is under constant threat from that day onwards and has a PSO for his protection.

The PSO guard, who has been assigned to look after the safety and security of Mr. Chaturvedi, has been provided with a video camera for recording Mr. Chaturvedi’s movements and activities. The PSO guard, from the date of issuance of the video camera, has been involved in recording the activities of Mr. Chaturvedi, round the clock, which is a complete violation of his fundamental right to privacy as provided by the Constitution of India.

On January 26, 2017, the PSO guard crossed the limit when he, illegally, vehemently and without the consent of Mr. Chaturvedi, entered his house and started recording, including his mother and sister. The PSO guard said that this has been done under the instructions of the Assistant Superintendent of Police, Mr. Dinesh Kaushal (Nodal Officer) and Mr T.I. Rajkumar Sharma.

Mr. Chaturvedi has made several complaints to the competent authorities and apprised them about the video and monitoring by the PSO guard, but no action has been taken as yet. Although the camera was issued for the purposes of safety and security of Mr. Chaturvedi, however, there were several incidents whereby he was attacked by some miscreants; but, the recording of such incidents was not done by the PSO guard.

Mr. Chaturvedi’s normal life has been harmed and his social image has been damaged by such acts. It has not only affected his social life, but his right to privacy and right to move freely has been sacrificed and breached by such acts.