The key takeaway from the blog post is that :

administrative transparency is being used as a shield to hide investigative failure. The post highlights a specific pattern of institutional resistance where the Mirzapur Police are allegedly utilizing procedural loopholes and evasive RTI responses to avoid accountability for a failed cyber fraud investigation.

Core Pillars of the Issue:

• The Transparency Gap: There is a sharp distinction between providing “registration details” (which the police did) and “investigation outcomes” (which the police withheld). By providing one but not the other, the department creates an illusion of compliance while hiding the actual facts.
• Systemic Evasion: The police’s claim that files are “deposited with the Commission” is framed as a strategic move to delay the disclosure of potentially embarrassing documents, such as internal notings and bank KYC failures.
• The “Right to Reason”: The post argues that for a democratic system to function, citizens have an “indispensable right” to know the logic behind why a case was closed without a breakthrough, especially when tools like the 1930 helpline were utilized.
• Accountability vs. Incompetence: The core struggle is not just about the ₹4,999 lost, but about ensuring that police personnel are held accountable for the quality of their work rather than being allowed to “run away” from their duties under the RTI Act.

Accountability in the Shadows: The Fight for Transparency in Mirzapur’s Cyber Fraud Investigations

The digital age has brought convenience to our fingertips, but it has also opened a Pandora’s box of cyber-enabled crimes. While the government promotes a “Digital India,” the mechanisms for justice often remain stuck in a bureaucratic quagmire. A recent case involving Yogi M. P. Singh and the Mirzapur Police highlights a disturbing trend: the use of procedural roadblocks to shield administrative incompetence and evade the Right to Information (RTI) Act.

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The Core Incident: A “Minor” Fraud with Major Implications

The saga began with a cyber fraud amounting to ₹4,999. While some might dismiss this as a small sum, for the common citizen, it represents a breach of security and trust in the banking system. Following the incident, an FIR (No. 226/2023) was registered at Police Station Katra under Section 420 of the IPC and Sections 66C/66D of the IT Act.

Despite the victim promptly utilizing the national cybercrime helpline (1930), the investigation yielded no results. The police eventually filed a “Final Report” (FR), effectively closing the case without a breakthrough. This closure is not just a failure to catch a criminal; it is a failure of the investigative machinery to protect the assets of its citizens.

The RTI Request: Seeking the Truth Behind the “Final Report”

Dissatisfied with the arbitrary closure of the case, Yogi M. P. Singh filed an RTI application (Reg No: SPMZR/R/2024/60226) on December 7, 2024. The request was surgical and focused on five critical points of accountability:

1. The Investigation Report: Seeking the actual findings that led to the case being closed.
2. Accountability of Superiors: The name and designation of the officer who accepted the “no breakthrough” conclusion.
3. Case Notings: The internal logic and comments recorded by officials before deciding to abandon the pursuit.
4. Helpline Efficacy: Details on whether the information from the 1930 helpline was actually integrated into the probe.
5. Bank Liability: Information on the fraudulent accounts and whether any action was taken against bank staff for potential KYC (Know Your Customer) lapses.

The Rejection: A Classic Case of “Evasive Maneuvers”

The response from the Public Information Officer (PIO), ASP Om Prakash Singh, was a masterclass in obfuscation. The PIO claimed that information had already been sent in a previous communication and that the file had been “deposited” with the State Information Commission.

This response ignores a fundamental distinction: the applicant was not asking about the registration of the FIR (which was the subject of previous correspondence), but the outcome of the investigation. By conflating two different stages of the legal process, the police sought to technicality their way out of transparency.

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Why the Police are “Running Away” from Accountability

The appeal (Reg No: SPMZR/A/2025/60021) filed before First Appellate Authority (FAA) Somen Verma, SSP Mirzapur, hits the nail on the head. The “fright” mentioned in the appeal stems from several factors:

• The KYC Dilemma: If the police provide the details of the fraudulent accounts (Point 5), it might reveal that the accounts were opened with forged documents—pointing to systemic failures in the banking sector that the police failed to investigate or report.
• The Paper Trail of Incompetence: Providing case notings (Point 3) would expose whether the IO (Investigating Officer) actually performed due diligence or simply waited for the clock to run out to file a Final Report.
• The “Right to Reason”: As the appellant correctly argues, the right to know the reason behind an administrative decision is an indispensable part of a sound democracy. A case cannot be closed simply because it is “difficult” to solve.

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The Legal Standpoint: The RTI Act vs. Police Secrecy

The police often attempt to hide behind Section 8 of the RTI Act, claiming that disclosing investigation details might impede the process. However, in this case, the investigation is already closed. Once an investigation is complete and a Final Report is submitted to the court, the “impediment” argument loses its legal legs.

Furthermore, the Uttar Pradesh State Information Commission has repeatedly held that citizens have a right to know how their complaints were handled. Hiding behind the excuse that “the file is at the Commission” is a circular logic intended to exhaust the petitioner.

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The Road Ahead: The First Appeal and Beyond

The First Appeal filed on April 13, 2025, puts the ball back in the court of the Superintendent of Police, Mirzapur. The prayer is simple: Direct the PIO to provide the information concerning the post-investigation documents.

If the FAA fails to act, the matter will once again escalate to the State Information Commission. However, the larger issue remains: should a citizen have to fight a multi-year legal battle to find out why the police couldn’t track a digital transaction of ₹4,999?

Conclusion: Justice Delayed is Transparency Denied

The Mirzapur case is a microcosm of a larger national issue. Cybercrime is rising, yet the police response remains characterized by a lack of technical expertise and a high degree of administrative opacity. By denying RTI requests, the police are not just protecting their “incompetence”; they are emboldening cyber-criminals who know that if they keep the stolen amount low enough, the police will likely just “close the file.”

We must demand that the Right to Reason be upheld. Transparency is the only detergent for administrative lethargy.

What do you think? Should the police be required to share their internal “notings” when a case is closed without a resolution? Let us know in the comments below.

Based on the details provided in the RTI appeal and official police records, here is the structured contact and registration information for the concerned public authorities.

1. RTI Application & Appeal Identifiers

These numbers are essential for tracking the progress of your request on the official portal.

Document Type	Registration Number	Date of Filing	Current Status
RTI Application	SPMZR/R/2024/60226	07/12/2024	Disposed (21/01/2025)
First Appeal	SPMZR/A/2025/60021	13/04/2025	Received / Pending
Second Appeal	A-20250400810	15/04/2025	Submitted to Commission

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2. Concerned Public Authority Details

The following personnel are responsible for the processing and adjudication of your information request at the Superintendent of Police Office, Mirzapur.

Appellate Authority (FAA)

• Name: Somen Verma (DIG/SSP Mirzapur)¹
• Mobile/CUG: +91-9454400299²
• Phone (Office): 05442-256655 / 05442-252578³
• Email ID: spmzr-up@nic.in⁴

Public Information Officer (PIO)

• Name: Om Prakash Singh (ASP Operation)⁵
• Mobile/CUG: +91-9454401105 / 9125608556⁶
• Email ID: asp-op.mi@up.gov.in / addlspopmzr@gmail.com⁷

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3. Digital Access & Tracking Links

You can use these web links to monitor the status of your case or participate in hearings.

• UP RTI Online Portal: rtionline.up.gov.inUse the “View Status” tab with your Registration Number and Email ID to see the latest office remarks.
• UP Information Commission (UPSIC): upsic.up.gov.inThis is where your Second Appeal (A-20250400810) will be heard. You can check the “Cause List” to find your hearing date.
• Direct Hearing Link (Example): Online Hearing LinkNote: This specific link was generated for the hearing on June 6, 2025. New links are usually sent via email/SMS for each session.

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4. Summary of Key Contact Points

Office / Officer	Contact Number	Primary Email
SSP Office Mirzapur	05442-256655	spmzr-up@nic.in
ASP Operation (PIO)	9454401105	asp-op.mi@up.gov.in
Technical Helpline	0522-7118629	onlinertihelpline.up@gov.in

Would you like me to prepare a template for a “Rejoinder” or a written submission to be sent to the State Information Commission before your next hearing date?