RTI activist Dulal Bora was arrested in Delhi on September 25 on charges of extortion. The arrest was made by the Delhi Police, who had been tracking Bora after he allegedly evaded law enforcement. Bora was apprehended at a private hospital in the capital city, where he had reportedly checked in, feigning illness. The arrest has garnered significant attention, as Bora has a notable public profile in Assam, primarily for his activism under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.
Bora’s name has long been associated with controversies. While his work as an RTI activist has often been seen as a pursuit for transparency and accountability, accusations of misuse of his position have followed him throughout his career. This particular arrest revolves around a series of complaints accusing him of extorting money from individuals and businesses by leveraging the information he obtained through RTI filings.
For several months, Bora had been under the radar of the police. According to sources, he had been evading authorities by frequently changing locations and even using different identities to avoid detection. His arrest from a hospital in Delhi came after a tip-off, leading to a carefully planned operation. Law enforcement officials claimed that they had to exercise caution in detaining him because of his perceived illness, though further investigation revealed that this might have been a tactic to avoid capture.
This arrest sheds light on the complex dynamics surrounding RTI activism in India. While the RTI Act was introduced to foster transparency in governance and empower citizens, it has not been without its challenges. The law provides individuals with the right to seek information from government bodies, holding officials accountable. However, there have been instances where some activists have reportedly misused their position for personal gain. Dulal Bora’s case is seen by some as an example of how RTI, if misapplied, can shift from being a tool for public good to one for personal benefit.
Bora’s arrest also puts into focus the thin line between activism and exploitation. Many activists work tirelessly to expose corruption and malpractices, often facing severe consequences for their efforts. However, cases like Bora’s tend to overshadow the broader objectives of transparency and accountability. Critics argue that incidents like this provide ammunition to those in power who wish to weaken the RTI Act or paint activists in a negative light. On the other hand, supporters of the law believe that such cases should not reflect on the broader community of RTI activists, many of whom operate with integrity.
Delhi Police sources mentioned that they are still investigating the full scope of Bora’s activities. Preliminary findings suggest that he had developed a network of individuals who assisted him in extracting information from RTI applications and using it as leverage for financial gain. If the allegations prove to be true, Bora could face multiple charges, not just limited to extortion, but also conspiracy and fraud.
Back in Assam, the news of Bora’s arrest has sent ripples through political and civil circles. As someone who was once hailed as a vocal advocate for public rights, his downfall is seen as a cautionary tale. While some sections of the public expressed shock at the arrest, others felt that this was a long time coming, given the rumors that had followed Bora in recent years. The state government has yet to issue a formal statement on the matter, but legal experts believe that his case could lead to broader discussions on the need for better oversight of RTI-related activities.
The judicial process that awaits Bora will likely be closely followed, not just in Assam, but across India. His case will bring to the forefront questions about the ethical boundaries of RTI activism, and whether stricter regulations need to be put in place to prevent similar situations in the future. For now, though, Dulal Bora finds himself at the center of a growing controversy that threatens to overshadow his contributions as an activist and raise uncomfortable questions about the fine line between fighting for public rights and personal exploitation.