In a rare instance, the Home Ministry has asked an RTI applicant to prove he is an Indian before disclosing details about the one-member panel looking into the missing files related to the alleged fake encounter case of Ishrat Jahan.

Senior IAS officer BK Prasad, Additional Secretary in the Home Ministry, heads the inquiry panel.

The RTI application was filed with the Ministry seeking copies of reports submitted by the panel besides file notings related to extension in service given to Prasad.

"In this connection, it is requested that a proof of your Indian citizenship may please be provided," the Home Ministry said in its reply.

As per Right to Information Act, 2005, only Indian citizens can seek information.

Usually, a proof of citizenship is not required to file an application under the transparency law. In rare cases, a public information officer can seek proof of nationality in case he has doubt over citizenship of an applicant.

"It is a way to block free flow of information and transparency by the government. Seeking proof of Indian citizenship must be discouraged. The Home Ministry appears to delay the information sought from it," said RTI activist Ajay Dubey.