Big news arrived from Kolkata on Friday. CFSL, Kolkata refused information sought under an RTI about the electropherogram report of DNA test data of Gumnami Baba , whom many believed to be Subash Chandra Bose.
An activist had sought information by RTI on Gumnami Baba’s DNA test report from the CFSL, Kolkata.
The DNA test Data of Gumnami Baba
Sayak sen, an RTI activist, had filed an application to the Directorate of Forensic Science Services to share a copy of the electropherogram report of the DNA test of Gumnami Baba.
The activist had asked three questions in the RTI – 1) The electropherogram report of the DNA test of one Gumnami Baba, done under the supervision of Mukherjee Commission of Inquiry at CFSL, Kolkata is, still available or not?
2) If not, the appellant seeks a copy of the official correspondence that led to the destruction of the report.
3) If it exists, the appellant requests a copy of the same as it is not available in the Mukherjee Commission exhibits. Further, since Mukherjee Commission is no more in existence, there remains no question of third-party exposure of the report.
The following responses were received by the activist: 1) the Electropherogram Report of the DNA test of one Gumnami Baba is available at this Laboratory 2) Does not arise, and 3) the copy of the said report can not be provided as per rules u/s 8(1)(a) and (e) as well as u/s 11(1) of RTI Act, 2005
The above rules refer to National security, international relations and incitement of violence.
We contacted Sayak Sen and asked for his comment. He answered, “My response is straight and simple, if Gumnami baba was not Netaji, how come eyewitness accounts point out towards Gumnami Baba being Netaji and how his handwriting too match with Netaji. But the DNA Electropherogram cannot be shared as that can affect India’s foreign relations and incite violence”.
He added, “I feel what they said is correct, and this is only possible if Gumnami baba was Netaji. All evidence suggests the same”.
The news was widely shared on social media — especially among activists, claiming Gumnami Baba to be Subash Chandra Bose.
