On March 23, 2007, Ahmed had filed an RTI application seeking information about the religion practiced by the students and the staff of the university.

After two months, the university replied that it would legally examine the request.

On February 15, Ahmed filed another RTI application demanding information about the status of his earlier RTI. This time, the university did not bother to reply.

Later, Ahmed decided to involve the State Information Commission. He requested the commission to fine the university Rs 50,000 each for refusing to answer his questions.

Succumbing to the pressure, the university appointed Assistant Registrar Sangeeta Chanda as the State Public Information Officer this month and provided all the information sought by Ahmed under the RTI Act.

“The university claimed that they are not a public authority and thus are not entitled to furnish any public information,” Ahmed said.

The university was, however, established under the WBNUJS Act, 1999 (West Bengal Act IX of 1999) and adopted by the West Bengal Legislature in July, 1999. According to the RTI Act of 2005, any office created by an act of the state or the Central government has to provide information under the RTI Act.