After the first and second appeal, the Central Information Commission ( CIC) issued an order that he be given the report. Bizarrely, however, the CIC issued a stay on the order within the next few days.

Alam's first appeal to the NHRC, though, did deliver results. When the NHRC replied half- heartedly to his application, he pursued the matter further by asking the commission questions relating to the encounter.

In response to these questions, the NHRC handed over copies of the post- mortem report and the FIR on Wednesday.

Curiously, Alam had not set out to dispute the Delhi Police's version of the ` encounter'. In fact, he believed in it and had only wanted to demonstrate the power of the RTI Act.

" I then believed that the encounter was the Delhi Police's biggest success till date in fighting terrorism. I just wanted to demonstrate to people that there was a peaceful way to register protests, instead of blocking the streets. I have nothing to do with the politics of the encounter," Alam said.

He said he was happy that he had got his answers, even though it had taken a struggle of two years.

What does he have to say now that the post- mortem report clearly blows holes into the special cell's version of events? " It confirms my faith in the RTI process.