About the Human Rights Defender: Ms. Mubeena Khatoon (35) is a WHRD at Banda associated with many social and human rights organizations. She is a Convenor of “Chingari” a social organization which works for children's education, women and cases of domestic violence. She also works on issues of discrimination against women and Dalits. Background of the Incident: In December 2022, Ms. Mubeena had sought information regarding allotment of houses via an RTI from District Urban Development Agency (DUTA) Department, Banda. However no response was given regarding her RTI from the department. Details of the Incident: In January 2023, a letter was sent by Mr. Rajesh Kumar, City Magistrate, Banda District, to Ms. Mubeena which said that that as the convener of the so-called Chingari organization, she corresponds with higher officials on various subjects. When the reply is sent to her, it is returned to the sending office after commenting that the address is incorrect. Thus, she was directed to present herself and present the information on the following points regarding “Chingari Organization”. • Attested photocopy of the certificate of registration of "Chingari Sangathan" • List of names, addresses and mobile numbers of all officials of the organization • Full correspondence address of the organization • Certified photocopy of the constitution related to the working duties of the organization • Details of the work done by the organization till date. On February 13, 2023, a similar letter was sent by the City Magistrate to Ms Mubeena. The subject line of the letter said: In relation to the alleged unregistered Chingari organization, living under illegal occupation in Manya Kanshiram Colony Moja Nimmipar. On February 21, 2023 Ms. Mubeena replied to both these letters in writing to the City Magistrate, Banda saying that “you asked for information about Chingari organization, which I provided to you through registered post. It was clarified that Chingari is an unregistered organisation which was created by local people to help each other. In response to that letter, you have sent me this letter that any kind of activities of unregistered organization are invalid. In this regard, I submit that there are lakhs of self-help groups running in the country who are unregistered. Would you call those groups invalid as well? I request you that if any group or organization works together to create a society, please provide a copy of the act declaring it invalid. Because till now I knew that the Constitution gives us the right that any person can do creative work by forming a group or organization. You have written in the letter that it is mentioned in my letter that I have been paying instalments in block number 24 for 4 years. At the same time, it has also been written to register an FIR against the person illegally collecting rent from the government building and vacate the illegal encroachment. Regarding this, I submit that I have not written any such letter in which it is written that I am paying rent for any government accommodation. The language of your notice is fabricated. I am suspecting that such a fake letter has been written with the intention of hatching a conspiracy against me. I request you to please provide a photocopy of that letter. I am also requesting that many people have encroached upon Kanshiram Colony with the help of DUTA department officials. DUTA department has illegally allotted houses to those people by taking money. If you really want to conduct an impartial investigation, I can provide the list of officials of the DUTA department and the illegal occupants of the houses.” On February 23, 2023 Ms. Mubeena also filed an RTI to Public Information Officer/City Magistrate Banda under which she demanded to know under which law and which section the social and creative activities done by the organization will be invalid. On August 17, 2023 a letter was sent to Ms. Mubeena by Mr. Rajesh Kumar, City Magistrate, Banda. This letter said that in an application Ms. Mubeena stated that she had been paying rent in that colony for four years so, she should be provided a residence. She was asked to vacate the house and provide possession to DUDA office. Otherwise, the house will be vacated with police force. However Ms. Mubeena denied any wrong doing and alleges that she and her social organisation are facing harassment and being targeted by the City Magistrate due to her RTI. Regarding this whole matter, Ms. Mubeena says that “I sought information from the DUTA department through an RTI, but instead of responding to that RTI, the City Magistrate is continuously harassing me and my organization. Until now no information has been given to me by the DUTA department. I am afraid that they are trying to implicate me in some fake case.”