Punjab and Haryana HC stays probe against RTI activist, three journalists over CM helicopter post : Written by Manraj Grewal Sharma

The Indian Express: Chandigarh: Wednesday, 14^th January 2026.
Court grants interim relief, issues notice to Punjab government in FIR linked to social media query on official helicopter use

The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday granted interim relief to a law student–RTI activist and three journalists, staying further investigation in an FIR registered against them over a social media post questioning the use of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann’s official helicopter during his absence abroad.
Justice Vinod S. Bhardwaj issued notice of motion to the State of Punjab, returnable on February 23.
The petitioners, namely, Manik Goyal, a law student and RTI activist, and journalists Baljinder Singh alias Mintu Gurusaria, Maninderjeet Singh and Mandeep Singh Makkar, had approached the High Court under Section 528 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, seeking quashing of FIR No. 67 of 2025. The FIR was registered on December 12, 2025, at the Cyber Crime Police Station, Ludhiana, under Sections 353(1), 353(2) and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
The case arises from a social media post made by Goyal on December 9, 2025, flagging the movement of the Chief Minister’s helicopter, bearing registration number VT-PSG, on December 8. At the time, Chief Minister Mann was on an official visit to Japan from December 1 to 10.
According to the petitioners, the FIR “originates from a bona fide public query” raised by Goyal regarding the use of the helicopter on a date when the Chief Minister was “admittedly out of India on an official foreign delegation”.
The petition states that the information shared in the post was sourced from FlightRadar24, a publicly accessible and lawful flight-tracking platform. By entering the helicopter’s registration number, Goyal observed that on December 8 the aircraft undertook multiple sorties within Chandigarh, flew to Amritsar, travelled onward to another location and then returned to Chandigarh. The post, the plea says, merely shared publicly available data and raised issues of transparency in the use of public resources.
The issue subsequently triggered wider discussion, with the three journalist-petitioners raising similar questions on their respective platforms and interviewing Goyal. The petition alleges that instead of clarifying the matter, the State chose to initiate criminal proceedings.
It further points out that there is no private complainant in the case. The FIR, it says, was registered solely on the complaint of a police officer, Inspector Satbir Singh, and does not disclose any grievance raised by a member of the public. The plea also claims that while the FIR acknowledges that the helicopter flew on the relevant date and was used by a person holding a constitutional post, it conceals the identity of that person and the purpose of the flight.
The petitioners argue that even if the allegations in the FIR are accepted at face value, no cognisable offence is made out. They contend that raising questions, sharing publicly available information and participating in public debate are protected under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution, and that the FIR is intended to stifle dissent and independent journalism.
The plea also refers to Goyal’s earlier attempts to seek information through RTI applications filed in 2024 regarding government expenditure on helicopters and aircraft since March 2022, which were rejected on the ground of security exemptions under Section 24 of the RTI Act.
Senior advocate R.S. Bains argued the case for the petitioners, assisted by advocate Loveneet Thakur.
The interim order stays all further proceedings in the FIR until the next date of hearing.

Fare calculation method a ‘Trade Secret’, railways tells CIC as RTI appeal dismissed : Yellarthi Chennabasava

TMV: Article: Wednesday, 14^th January 2026.
The Indian Railways has informed the Central Information Commission (CIC) that its methodology for calculating passenger train fares is a trade secret and falls under commercial confidence, and therefore cannot be disclosed under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.

The CIC’s observation came while disposing of an RTI appeal seeking detailed information on the base fare calculation mechanism, including dynamic pricing and Tatkal bookings, for train tickets and specifically for the Paschim Superfast Express.
In its reply, the Railway Board said fares are class-based, with variations arising from the facilities provided in different classes. However, it maintained that the classification and methodology of fare fixation are considered intellectual property and trade secrets , making them exempt from disclosure under Section 8 of the RTI Act, which protects sensitive information such as national security, trade secrets, and personal privacy.
Railway officials cited earlier CIC rulings that upheld the non-disclosure of pricing methodology, emphasizing that Indian Railways functions as a commercial utility while simultaneously fulfilling social obligations in the national interest . The Railway Board’s Chief Public Information Officer (CPIO) added that disclosure of detailed pricing mechanisms was not justified in public interest, since any profit earned is transferred to the public rather than retained for private gain.
While the Railways refused to disclose its internal formulas, it provided general information on fare policies , including that fares are determined according to travel class, are influenced by Tatkal and dynamic pricing, and are guided by commercial considerations balanced with public interest.
The CIC noted that the appellant had already received all disclosable information and that authorities are not required to create or interpret data beyond existing records. Finding no infirmity in the Railway Board’s response and noting the appellant’s absence during the hearing, Information Commissioner Swagat Das said no further intervention was required and dismissed the appeal.

PM Cares Fund has right to privacy under RTI Act even if it is govt entity: Delhi High Court : Prashant Jha

Bar and Bench: New Delhi: Wednesday, 14^th January 2026.
There cannot be any difference between the privacy rights of a public or a private trust under the RTI Act, the Court remarked.

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday remarked that even if the PM Cares Fund is run or controlled by the government, it would not lose the right to privacy under the Right to Information Act (RTI Act) [Girish Mittal v CPIO Dy Commissioner of Income Tax].
A Division Bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia clarified that it is not talking about the right to privacy flowing from Article 21 of the Constitution, but the right available to third parties under Section 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act, which bars disclosure of personal information.
“Even if it is State, merely because it is State, it does it lose its right to privacy… How can you say that? Merely because there is an entity discharging certain public functions, or if it is managed, supervised and controlled by the government, it is still a juristic personality. How can you deny such a right [right to privacy] conferred on it merely because it is a public authority,” the High Court remarked.
Chief Justice Upadhyaya explained that the RTI Act forbids information to be provided about third parties and there cannot be any difference between the privacy rights of a public or a private trust under the Act.
“Suppose there is a society or a trust running a school or a football club. Would that society have a right to privacy [under RTI Act] or not… Can you say that without notice to that trust, this information can be given to you? You can't different between the third parties. It can be a private individual, trust, body, society or a cooperative society. It can be anything. Public or not, that would not differentiate, as far as third-party rights under the RTI Act is concerned,” the Court stressed.
The Bench made the remarks while hearing an appeal seeking disclosure of information and documents submitted by the PM CARES Fund while seeking exemption under the Income Tax Act.
The Central Information Commission had allowed the plea and directed the Income Tax Department to disclose the information sought.
However, a single judge of the High Court set aside the CIC directive.
In January 2024, the single-judge ruled that CIC does not have the jurisdiction to direct furnishing of information provided for in Section 138 of the Income Tax Act. It added that Section 138 (2) of the Income Tax Act prevails over Section 22 of the Right to Information Act (RTI Act).
The RTI applicant Girish Mittal then moved the Division Bench against the single-judge directive.
Today, advocate Pranav Sachdeva appeared for Mittal to argue the case. He said that PM Cares Fund is not covered under the exemption granted in Section 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act and that a public charitable trust established by the government cannot have the right to privacy under this statute.
“Privacy of individuals is to be protected. But this sort of entity [PM Cares Fund] will not have any privacy,” he said.
Sachdeva added that the protection under Section 138 of the Income Tax Act would not apply to the PM CARES Fund, and even if it did, it would be overridden by Section 22 of the RTI Act.
After hearing Sachdeva, the Court listed the case for further hearing on February 10 when Additional Solicitor General N Venkataraman will make the submissions for the Income Tax Department.

Uttarakhand Information Commission Directs Providing Of Information On Subordinate Judiciary Under RTI

ETV Bharat: Dehradun: Tuesday, 13^th January 2026
Uttarakhand Information Commission Directs Providing Of Information On Subordinate Judiciary Under RTI (IANS). The personal identity or name of any judge or officer will not be made public, and permission will have to be taken before providing information

In an important decision taken in Uttarakhand under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, the Uttarakhand Information Commission has directed the disclosure of information related to complaints filed against officials and judges of the subordinate judiciary. This will be the first time in the country that such information will be made public. The appeal and order in the matter could set a precedent for the country.
The December 29, 2025, order, accessed by ETV Bharat, was passed under the chairmanship of Chief Information Commissioner Radha Raturi.
The matter pertains to an appeal filed by Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer Sanjeev Chaturvedi seeking information on rules, complaints and action taken against the subordinate judiciary.
The RTI application filed by the appellant on May 14, 2025, sought information on the service rules, conduct rules and disciplinary action procedures applicable to the subordinate judiciary in Uttarakhand. It also sought information on where and how complaints against judicial officers related to corruption or other matters are filed.
It was also sought how many complaints were filed against officers and judges of the subordinate judiciary between January 1, 2020 and April 15, 2025, and how many of these cases resulted in the recommendation or implementation of disciplinary or criminal action. The appellant had asked for certified copies of the file notings and documents generated during the RTI application process.
However, the Public Information Officer (PIO) did not provide the appellant with complete information, stating that the information requested was confidential and related to a third party. He also argued that permission from the competent authority was required before providing such information.
Dissatisfied with this response, the appellant filed a departmental appeal and then a second appeal with the Information Commissioner, following which the directive was issued.
During the course of the proceedings, where both the appellant and the PIO were present, the appellant argued before the Commission that the information regarding the number of complaints and their disposal process was in the public interest and could not be considered confidential. The PIO reiterated that the complaints, involving judicial officers, were sensitive and could not be made public without permission.
After hearing arguments, the Information Commission stated in its order that merely stating that information is confidential is not sufficient grounds for withholding it. The Commission acknowledged that information regarding the number of complaints and the process for their disposal in the subordinate judiciary falls within the scope of transparency.
However, the Commission also clarified that the personal identity or name of any judge or officer will not be made public. The Commission directed that necessary permission should be obtained from the competent level before providing information regarding the number of complaints and the process.
The Information Commission has directed the PIO to provide the requested information to the appellant within one month of obtaining permission from the competent authority. The Commission also clarified that until such permission is granted, the appeal will be considered partially accepted.
Experts believe this order is an important step towards increasing transparency in the judicial system. It will clarify how complaints are monitored and processed in the subordinate judiciary. Furthermore, this order will set a precedent for individuals seeking information related to judicial administration through RTI in future.

CIC's Massive Backlog: Can New Appointments Save India's RTI Dream? - By Chandramouli Mohan

Moneylife: National: Tuesday, 13^th January 2026

India's Right to Information (RTI) Act empowers ordinary citizens to demand transparency from government bodies and public authorities. However, the central information commission (CIC) the final watchdog for RTI appeals now drowns under 32,232 pending cases as of January 2026. This includes 3,591 unresolved complaints and a substantial 28,641 second-level appeals, with clearance projected at 40 months.

What the Shocking Numbers Reveal
Picture this: In December 2025, CIC managed hearings for just 814 cases despite the mountain of backlog. At this pace, it would take over three years exactly 40 months to wipe the slate clean, assuming no new cases arrive. Second appeals, where citizens challenge denials of information, make up nearly 90% of the pile, showing how frustration builds when first-level appeals fail. For everyday people filing RTIs about local issues like road repairs or pension delays, this means waiting years for answers that may no longer matter.
Years of Skeleton Staff Crippled CIC
The RTI Act clearly states CIC should have one chief information commissioner and up to ten Information commissioners to handle the load. Yet, as of late November 2025, only two commissioners were active, leaving thousands of cases in limbo. The commission last worked at full strength back in December 2016 almost a decade ago before vacancies dragged on despite court orders. This chronic shortage let complaints and appeals snowball, turning a quick redressal system into a bureaucratic nightmare.
New Faces Bring Hope But Will It Last?
Good news finally arrived in December 2025: Raj Kumar Goyal was sworn in as the new chief, alongside eight fresh information commissioners like Jaya Verma Sinha and Swagat Das. This restored the full 11-member team after nine empty years, responding to Supreme Court nudges over the 31,000+ backlog. As of early January 2026, these new appointees were still settling in, but experts predict faster hearings ahead. If they hit the ground running, the 40-month timeline could shrink dramatically, breathing life back into RTI.
Rushed Hearings Hurt the Common Man
Even when cases reach hearing, problems persist. CIC schedules allot only two to five minutes per matter barely enough time for an appellant to explain their side amid technical glitches or incomplete records. Cause lists on the CIC website confirm this tight squeeze, leaving many feeling unheard. For a farmer seeking crop subsidy details or a student probing exam irregularities, such brevity discourages follow-ups and erodes faith in the system.
Why This Threatens RTI's Very Soul
Long waits make RTI a joke: By the time information trickles in, elections pass, schemes change, or issues fade. Applicants give up, officials dodge accountability, and corruption festers unchecked. The backlog's root understaffing has been fixed on paper, but success demands better processes, like longer hearings and real-time tracking. Only then can RTI reclaim its role as the common man's weapon against secrecy, ensuring government answers swiftly and fairly.
(Chandramouli Mohan retired as a senior manager from a public sector bank after 38 years of service in various capacities in several places across the country. He has been an RTI and consumer activist since his retirement in March 2020.)

RTI Activists Allege TGSRTC Withholding Financial Data

Deccan Chronicle: Hyderabad: Tuesday, 13^th January 2026
Dispute over Mahalakshmi scheme dues and disclosure of income, expenditure

Activists have intensified allegations that the TGSRTC is failing to place details of its income, expenditure, and reimbursements in the public domain. They also alleged that the TGSRTC management has not been responding to Right to Information (RTI) applications for the past four years.
Activists claimed that even information related to government dues under the Mahalakshmi free bus scheme for women has not been disclosed. However, TGSRTC management told Deccan Chronicle that nearly 80 per cent of the dues under the scheme had been paid by the government and that most RTI applications have been responded to with the information sought.
Former RTC board director M. Nageswara Rao alleged that the then top management showed disregard for the Right to Information Act. “I submitted more than 100 RTI applications seeking details on issues such as government releases to RTC, loans taken by the corporation, and hypothecation of RTC lands and properties. None of them received replies,” he said.
He alleged that the RTC, a public sector undertaking, has failed to publish details of its income, expenditure, profits, losses, and loans for the past four years, keeping its financial affairs secret.
Maramreddy Thomas Reddy, general secretary of the Telangana Mazdoor Union for TGSRTC, alleged that the management and the government were acting in tandem. He said promises made by the present government had not materialised. He further claimed that reimbursements under the Mahalakshmi scheme and other heads were pending, with nearly ₹2,700 crore allegedly due from the government to the RTC, which he said was the reason accounts were not being made public.
The union demanded that the government clear all pending dues, stating that employees and retirees were suffering as their financial benefits were being delayed. It also sought the immediate release of account statements to employees and the general public.
Responding to the allegations, TGSRTC officials said most RTI applications had been replied to and that the specific complaints would be verified. They reiterated that a majority of the dues under the Mahalakshmi scheme had already been reimbursed by the state government.

Bamu directs affiliated colleges for voluntary disclosure under RTI

Times of India: Aurangabad: Tuesday, 13^th January 2026
The Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University (Bamu) has asked all its affiliated colleges to make voluntary disclosure mandated under the RTI Act, 2005.

In an order issued on Monday, the varsity asked colleges to update the required information on their official websites at least twice a year.
"Section 4 of the RTI Act, 2005, details the suo motu disclosure of certain information for public institutions. The required information needs to be provided by colleges proactively to all stakeholders in order to set the regime of accountability and transparency," Bamu public relations officer, Sanjay Shinde, said.
The voluntary disclosure includes a set of details, including the functions and duties of the organisation, the powers and duties of employees, the process followed in decision-making, supervision and accountability, and norms for functions. It also includes making available governing rules, regulations, manuals and records, and sharing categories of documents held. The required details also incorporate the budget, subsidies, details of recipients, and details of public information officers, among other vital information.
Bamu had over 400 affiliated colleges located in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Dharashiv, Beed and Jalna districts, which need to make the necessary voluntary disclosure under the RTI Act.
Suhas Morale, the principal of Swa Sawarkar Arts, Science and Commerce College, in Beed, said every educational institute needs to follow the key provisions of the RTI Act.
"There should not be any reluctance from colleges in setting the regime of transparency. A section of colleges has already made the necessary disclosure, and the remaining ones need to ensure compliance," he said.

The RTI FILES EP 1: Digital Personal Data Protection Act ने RTI- Press F...

Digital Data Protection Act Explained: 14 नवंबर 2025 को भारत सरकार ने Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Rules, 2025 को अधिसूचित किया, जो DPDP Act, 2023 को लागू करता है। सबसे बड़ा बदलाव RTI Act की धारा 8(1)(j) में है, जहां पहले 'पब्लिक इंटरेस्ट' के आधार पर व्यक्तिगत जानकारी जारी की जा सकती थी, अब इसे पूरी तरह छूट मिल गई है—बिना पब्लिक इंटरेस्ट टेस्ट के व्यक्तिगत जानकारी देने से इनकार आसान हो गया। इससे पुलों के ठेकेदारों जैसे मामलों में भ्रष्टाचार उजागर करना मुश्किल। Rule 23 सरकार को बिना नोटिस या जज की मंजूरी के व्यक्तिगत डेटा (कॉल लॉग, लोकेशन आदि) मांगने की व्यापक शक्ति देता है, जो 'राष्ट्रीय सुरक्षा' के नाम पर हो सकता है। पत्रकारों के लिए कोई स्पष्ट छूट नहीं है—वे भी 'डेटा फिड्यूशियरी' माने जाते हैं, जिससे संवेदनशील जानकारी या व्हिसलब्लोअर डेटा इस्तेमाल करने के लिए सहमति लेनी पड़ेगी, जो व्यावहारिक रूप से असंभव है। Editors Guild of India और अन्य संगठनों ने इसे प्रेस फ्रीडम पर हमला बताया, जो जांच-पत्रकारिता को बाधित कर सकता है। आलोचक इसे Article 19(1)(a) के तहत बोलने और जानने के अधिकार पर खतरा मानते हैं, जबकि सरकार का दावा है कि यह निजता और पारदर्शिता में संतुलन बनाता है। कुल मिलाकर, ये नियम राज्य को मजबूत बनाते हैं, लेकिन नागरिकों और मीडिया की जवाबदेही की क्षमता कमजोर करते हैं.... देखिये द आरटीआई फाइल्स

Battle over NPAs: BoB, SBI, RBL, Yes Bank move CIC against RTI orders, RBI backs disclosure

Business Today: New Delhi: Monday, 12^Th January 2026
The RBI has consistently relied on the Supreme Court’s landmark 2015 ruling in Jayantilal N Mistry vs RBI, which held that inspection reports, defaulters’ lists and related supervisory information must be disclosed in the larger public interest.

Four major banks Bank of Baroda, RBL Bank, Yes Bank and State Bank of India have approached the Central Information Commission (CIC) objecting to the disclosure of sensitive regulatory information such as lists of defaulters, non-performing assets (NPAs), inspection reports and penalty-related documents, even as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has maintained that the records are “liable to be disclosed” under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, according to a PTI report.
The objections stem from multiple RTI applications filed by applicants Dheeraj Mishra, Vathiraj, Girish Mittal and Radha Raman Tiwari, who sought details including the top 100 NPAs and willful defaulters of Yes Bank, inspection reports of SBI and RBL Bank, and documents related to a Rs 4.34 crore monetary penalty imposed on Bank of Baroda following statutory inspection findings.
After examining the requests, the RBI concluded that the information could be disclosed under the RTI Act and sought the banks’ views under the third-party consultation provision of Section 11. Disagreeing with the RBI’s position, the banks challenged the decision before the CIC, arguing that disclosure would harm their commercial interests and expose confidential supervisory information, the PTI report added.
Information Commissioner Khushwant Singh Sethi has now referred all the cases to a larger bench of the CIC, citing the significance of the issues involved and the fact that similar matters had earlier been examined by a double bench. Disclosure has been stayed until final adjudication.
The RBI has consistently relied on the Supreme Court’s landmark 2015 ruling in Jayantilal N Mistry vs RBI, which held that inspection reports, defaulters’ lists and related supervisory information must be disclosed in the larger public interest and that the RBI does not hold such information in a fiduciary capacity for banks, as per the report.
What banks said
In one case, Bank of Baroda objected to the disclosure of documents relating to a Rs 4.34 crore penalty imposed after statutory inspections. The RBI rejected the bank’s claim that disclosure would adversely affect its business or competitive position, noting that exempt information under Sections 8(1)(d), (e) and (j) of the RTI Act had already been severed. Bank of Baroda has since approached the Supreme Court, seeking reconsideration of the Jayantilal N Mistry judgment.
RBL Bank similarly opposed disclosure of its inspection reports for 2013-14 and 2016-17. The RBI countered that Supreme Court precedent remains binding and quoted contempt proceedings in which the apex court warned that failure to disclose inspection reports would be viewed seriously. Despite noting that no stay has been granted by the Supreme Court, the CIC has referred the matter to a larger bench.
Yes Bank has challenged the proposed disclosure of its top NPAs, willful defaulters and inspection reports, even as the RBI reiterated that the RTI Act overrides all earlier laws and that the Supreme Court has explicitly upheld disclosure of such information.
State Bank of India, meanwhile, objected to the release of show-cause notices and RBI enforcement actions from April 2015 onwards. The RBI held that the documents were disclosable after severing exempt portions, stressing that it is not in a fiduciary relationship with banks and must act in public interest.

No law in the offing for advocates’ protection at workplace: RTI reply

New Indian Express: New Delhi: Monday, 12^Th January 2026
At a meeting with legal professionals in December, the minister promised legal reforms, including the Advocates Protection Act.

Healthcare workers were once promised a separate law to protect them from workplace violence. Now, it’s the turn of the lawyers.
However, an RTI has revealed that the long-awaited Advocates Protection Act, meant to protect legal professionals, is likely to meet the same fate as the proposed law for healthcare workers: it has been dropped.
The Law Ministry in the RTI reply clearly stated that “there is no proposal of the Government (Union Law Minister) to enact the Advocates Protection Bill, for the present.” The RTI response came even though Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said last year that the Law Commission was actively working on the Act.
At a meeting with legal professionals in December, the minister promised legal reforms, including the Advocates Protection Act. Supported by a 2021 bill from the Bar Council of India, this Act aims to protect lawyers from violence, intimidation, and harassment in the course of their work.
The Act also imposes strict penalties on offenders and allows advocates to request police protection if they are threatened. Support for a separate law for lawyers grew after Rajasthan passed a similar Act in 2023.
According to Kerala-based Dr KV Babu, who had filed the RTI, “There was a reported statement from the Union Law Minister about a proposal for the Advocates Protection Act. However, the RTI response clearly shows “there is no proposal of the government to enact the Advocates Protection Bill, for the present.”
“If the government plans to pass a separate law for advocates based on the 2021 Bar Council Bill, healthcare workers and doctors should not be overlooked. They also need a law, as suggested in the 2019 draft Bill,” Dr Babu told this paper. The government drafted a separate law in 2019 to protect medical professionals, but later dropped the proposal.
Dr Dilip P Bhanushali, the former national president of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), which has over 4,00,000 members, said that lawyers have a strong organisation and are not covered by the Consumer Protection Act, whereas doctors remain held liable.
The IMA, medical groups and many resident doctors associations have long called for a separate law to protect medical professionals.
Legal reforms promised
At a meeting with legal professionals in December, the law minister promised legal reforms, including the Advocates Protection Act. Supported by a 2021 bill from the Bar Council of India, this Act aims to protect lawyers from violence, intimidation, and harassment during work.

T.N. Information Commission raps petitioner for abusing RTI Act with excessive requests : S. Vijay Kumar

The Hindu: Chennai: Monday, 12^Th January 2026
Imposes penalty of ₹10,000 for using the Act as a tool to intimidate public authorities. The petitioner had filed 781 RTI petitions before the Principal District Judge, Theni.

The Tamil Nadu Information Commission came down heavily on a petitioner who sent a series of petitions seeking information for his own benefit under the Right to Information Act, 2005.
Imposing a penalty of ₹10,000 on S. Krishnaramanujam, the petitioner, for abusing the provisions of the Act, and also stalling the work of the Public Information Officer by bombarding him with queries, State Information Commissioner R. Priyakumar directed the Revenue Department officials to collect the fine amount under the Revenue Recovery Act if he failed to pay.
The petitioner had sent several letters to the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Theni, seeking a variety of information from the court. While replies to 33 petitions were sent, Mr. Krishnaramanujam had filed 781 RTI petitions before the Principal District Judge, Theni.
Mr. Priyakumar said if the replies were not in his favour, the petitioner used provisions under the Act to intimidate the public authorities and prevent them from discharging their lawful duties, which resulted in the waste of court time and functions.
The Commission referred to an order of the Supreme Court which said that the Act should not be allowed to be misused or abused, to become a tool to obstruct national development and integration, or to destroy the peace, tranquility and harmony among citizens.
The apex court had further said that the Act should not be converted into a tool of oppression or intimidation of honest officials striving to do their duty. “The nation does not want a scenario where 75% of the staff of public authorities spend 75% of their time in collecting and furnishing information to applicants instead of discharging their regular duties,” the order said.
Mr. Priyakumar said the order was relevant to the case and hence the penalty. The threat of penalties under the RTI Act and the pressure of the authorities under the same should not lead to employees of a public offices prioritising ‘information furnishing’, at the cost of their normal and regular duties.

RTI is foundation of public empowerment: Dhami

Garhwal Post: Dehradun: Sunday, 11^Th January 2026
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami today participated in a programme held at the Secretariat to mark the completion of 20 years since the implementation of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, during which he honoured five Public Information Officers (PIOs) and five Appellate Officers for their commendable contribution towards effective implementation of the Act.

Addressing the gathering on the occasion, the CM stated that the Right to Information (RTI) Act is the foundation of public empowerment and transparent governance asserting that it remains the soul of Indian democracy and a cornerstone of accountability in the administrative system.
Those honoured included District Magistrate Bageshwar Akansha Konde, who was serving as Chief Development Officer (CDO) Haridwar at the time of the recognised work, Chief Development Officer (CDO) Dehradun Abhinav Shah, SSP Tehri Ayush Agrawal, Deputy Secretary of the Uttarakhand Public Service Commission Dr Prashant, Deputy Director of Elementary Education SS Chauhan, Assistant Secretary of the Uttarakhand Subordinate Service Selection Commission Rajan Naithani, Inspector In-charge Kotwali Pithoragarh Lalit Mohan Joshi, Senior Administrative Officer of Ramnagar Forest Division Kamala Sharma, Chief Administrative Officer of Soban Singh Jeena University, Almora Liyakat Ali Khan, and District Development Officer Haridwar Ved Prakash.
Speaking on the occasion, the CM observed that the RTI Act has opened a new chapter of trust, transparency and accountability between the administration and citizens by empowering every citizen to understand government policies, decisions and functioning and to seek answers from those in authority. He said the Act has transformed the relationship between the government and the people by making governance more open and participative. Dhami added that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a strong culture of good governance, transparency and accountability has taken shape across the country’s administrative framework. He said initiatives such as digital governance, e-office systems, online portals, Direct Benefit Transfer and structured public grievance redressal mechanisms have further strengthened public faith in governance.
Dhami also claimed that the state government is working relentlessly to establish a transparent, responsive and citizen-centric governance system. He said administrative processes in the state have been largely digitised and most government services are now available online, which has made access to information and services easier for the public. Praising the functioning of the RTI online portal and the hybrid hearing system of the State Information Commission, he said these initiatives have made the information delivery and adjudication process more accessible and efficient. He stated that more than 13 lakh RTI applications have been received by the State Information Commission so far, the majority of which have been successfully disposed of, with only around 700 cases currently pending, reflecting the efficiency and effectiveness of the system.
Dhami commended the dedication, transparency and sensitivity of officers and employees associated with the implementation of the RTI Act but also cautioned that while the RTI is a powerful instrument, its responsible use is equally essential. He noted that instances of misuse of the Act have been observed in some cases and stressed the need for greater public awareness to prevent such practices.
Among those present on the occasion included by Chief Information Commissioner Radha Raturi, State Information Commissioners Devendra Kumar Arya, Dalip Singh Kunwar and Kushalanand Kothiyal and Vice Chairman of the Uttarakhand Infrastructure Monitoring Council Vishwas Dawar, along with senior officials from various departments.

Tamil Nadu to have two more State Information Commissioners

The Hindu: Chennai: Sunday, 11^Th January 2026
While constituting the Commission in 2005, the State government had issued orders for appointing one State Chief Information Commissioner and two State Information Commissioners. In 2008, it raised the number of State Information Commissioners from two to six

The State government has decided to have two more State Information Commissioners in the Tamil Nadu Information Commission. Besides the State Chief Information Commissioner, the State will have eight State Information Commissioners.
While constituting the Commission in 2005, the State government had issued orders for appointing one State Chief Information Commissioner and two State Information Commissioners. In 2008, it raised the number of State Information Commissioners from two to six.
The number of appeals is among the factors being considered to increase the number of State Information Commissioners. As of now, there is one State Chief Information Commissioner and five State Information Commissioners holding the post.
As per Section 15(2) of the Right to Information Act, 2005, “The State Information Commission shall consist of one State Chief Information Commissioner and such number of State Information Commissioners not exceeding 10 as may be deemed necessary.”
The State Chief Information Commissioner and the State Information Commissioners are appointed by the Governor on the recommendation of a committee consisting of the Chief Minister, who shall be the Chairperson of the committee, the Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly, and a Cabinet Minister to be nominated by the Chief Minister.

Ex-Chief Secretary Amitabh Jain appointed Chhattisgarh State Chief Information Commissioner

Social News: Raipur: Sunday, 11^Th January 2026
In a significant development aimed at bolstering transparency and the effective implementation of the Right to Information (RTI) Act in Chhattisgarh, the state government has appointed retired IAS officer and former Chief Secretary Amitabh Jain as the new State Chief Information Commissioner.

Ex-Chief Secretary Amitabh Jain & New State
Chief Information Commissioner

The announcement ends months of anticipation surrounding the key vacancy in the State Information Commission.
Alongside Jain, two other prominent individuals have been appointed as State Information Commissioners retired IAS officer Umesh Agarwal and senior journalist Shirish Chandra Mishra.
These appointments, made by order of the Governor of Chhattisgarh, are for a term of three years.
The long-awaited appointments come after prolonged discussions and a delay primarily caused by a pending court case related to the Chief Information Commissioner's post.
With the legal hurdles now cleared, the General Administration Department issued the official notification, paving the way for the reconstituted commission to resume full operations. These symbolic images represent the role of State Information Commissions in upholding RTI and transparency in governance across India.
According to the notification, the terms of service, salary, allowances, and other conditions for the appointees will be governed by the Right to Information (Terms of Office, Salary, Allowances and other Conditions of Service of the Central Information Commission and State Information Commissions) Rules, 2019, as notified by the Government of India on October 24, 2019.
Amitabh Jain, a 1989-batch IAS officer, retired as Chief Secretary in September 2025 after a distinguished career that included a rare extension of service.
His extensive administrative experience is expected to bring efficiency and credibility to the commission, which plays a crucial role in hearing second appeals under the RTI Act and ensuring government accountability.
The appointments are seen as a positive step toward reducing pending cases and strengthening citizens' access to information in Chhattisgarh. With the full commission now in place, citizens and activists hope for faster disposal of RTI appeals and greater transparency in public administration.

RTI activist flags multi-crore answer book tender scam at RCU : Ravindra Uppar

Times of India: Belagavi: Saturday, 10^Th January 2026

Rani Channamma University (RCU), Belagavi, is facing allegations of a multi-crore scam in the procurement of examination answer booklets. RTI activist Dattatraya Kulkarni submitted a detailed complaint to the chief secretary of the Karnataka govt, accusing the university of manipulating tender conditions, violating procurement and GST norms, and causing huge financial losses to the state exchequer.
The complaint pertains to a tender issued for a biannual rate contract to supply theory and practical examination answer books. Kulkarni alleged that the tender was deliberately designed to favour a pre-identified bidder by inserting restrictive and illegal conditions, thereby eliminating fair competition.
According to the complaint, earlier tenders floated by the university were open to bidders from across India, resulting in competitive pricing. However, in the latest tender, RCU allegedly made GST registration in Karnataka mandatory, effectively barring bidders registered in other states. Kulkarni argued that this condition violates GST rules, which allow businesses registered in 1 state to operate nationwide, and also contravenes the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurements (KTPP) Act and Supreme Court rulings that prohibit region-based restrictions in public tenders.
The tender also allegedly disqualified proprietary and partnership firms, a move Kulkarni claimed was aimed solely at restricting competition and was contrary to the provisions of the KTPP Act.
A major allegation concerns the mandatory ‘dandy watermark' with the university logo on the answer book paper. Kulkarni alleged that the university did not provide authorisation letters from the paper mill to most bidders, which are essential for obtaining such watermark paper. As a result, only the previous supplier, who allegedly had prior access and an understanding with the university, was able to submit compliant samples and qualify for the technical and financial bids.
The complaint also highlights abnormal price escalation. While universities such as Kuvempu and Haveri awarded contracts at Rs 12 - Rs 15 for 40 pages of answer sheets, RCU allegedly raised its estimates sharply to Rs 23 for 36 pages and Rs 21 for 32 pages. In comparison, recent tenders at Tumkur University reportedly went for as low as Rs 9 for 36 pages, and Mandya University Rs 12.50 for 32 pages.
Another serious charge relates to GST evasion. Kulkarni alleged that the university accepted and cleared invoices without GST, wrongly showing the supply as exempt. He maintained that printing of answer books constitutes the supply of goods and cannot be exempt from GST. He further alleged that the tender was wrongly classified under ‘services' to evade GST, causing losses running into crores of rupees.
TOI tried to approach the RCU vice-chancellor Prof CM Thyagaraja multiple times over the phone, but he did not respond.

Centre’s depts stonewalling RTI query on deported Bangladeshis, says Maharashtra Congress

Times of India: Mumbai: Saturday, 10^Th January 2026
The Congress has alleged that departments of the central govt have passed the buck on providing details of detained and deported illegal Bangladeshi immigrants under the RTI Act. It said ruling party leaders made false allegations for political gain without any data available with the govt.

In Mumbai, AICC secretary and Congress spokesperson in Maharashtra Sachin Sawant alleged that the Union home ministry had no information available on how many Bangladeshis were caught in Mumbai over the last three years and how many were deported.
Sawant shared the RTI reply details with the media on Friday and stated that, through an associate, they filed the RTI application online, addressed to the ministry of home affairs, and the reply stated that the information was not available with the foreign division and citizenship wing of the ministry of home affairs and may pertain to the bureau of immigration, New Delhi, and the same was transferred to the concerned department.
In the RTI application, the applicant sought the total number of Bangladeshi and Rohingya nationals detained for illegally staying in Mumbai in the past three years, and how many of them were deported, along with other related information.
Sawant stated that the govt undermined the RTI law, and the very ministry responsible for this subject said that the information was not available, and the RTI application was passed from one department to another.
In the recent past, many senior BJP leaders and ministers alleged that many illegal Bangladeshi and Rohingya were staying in Mumbai, posing a security threat, but they did not provide any govt data to support their allegations.
Sawant alleged, "BJP repeatedly raising the issue of Bangladeshi and Rohingya migrants in every election to create religious polarisation. Since the BMC elections began, BJP leaders Mangal Prabhat Lodha and Amit Satam once again tried to rake up Hindu–Muslim divisions. The question of how many Bangladeshis were caught in Mumbai over the last three years and how many were deported exposed the BJP's conspiracy through replies received under the RTI from the Union home ministry."

Fatehabad youth attacked for filing RTI query, 4 booked

 Times of India: Chandigarh: Saturday, 10^Th January 2026
A youth was allegedly attacked in Tohana area of Fatehabad district after he sought information under the Right to Information (RTI) Act regarding documents submitted by a woman sarpanch at the time of her nomination. The police have registered a criminal case against four persons, including the sarpanch's brother, and initiated an investigation.
According to the Tohana Sadar police, a case was registered on the complaint of Praveendar of Purna Majra village. The accused have been identified as Lala, brother of the woman sarpanch, and three of his associates. The case was registered under various provisions of the Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS).

In his complaint, Praveendar stated that he had a mobile phone shop on Tohana Railway Road. On Jan 6, when he was returning home in his SUV after closing his shop, four youths in a car allegedly blocked his way on Simbal Road.
He alleged that the accused, carrying wooden rods, got out of the vehicle. Fearing an attack, he managed to drive back towards the city via Railway Road. However, near the Girls' School street, the accused allegedly rammed their vehicle into his car from behind, breaking a window.
Praveendar further alleged that he drove to Saini Mohalla, where the attackers threatened to kill him before fleeing the spot. He identified one of the attackers as Lala, brother of the current village sarpanch Kanta Devi.
The complainant claimed that he had sought information under the RTI Act regarding alleged forged documents used by the sarpanch during the election process. He also stated that a court case related to the matter was currently pending against the sarpanch's family. The police said further investigation in the present case was underway.

Govt ducks IMF's 'C' grade criticism in stunning RTI stonewall: No answers, no fixes : Ashok Upadhyay

 India Today: New Delhi: Saturday, 10^Th January 2026
On the estimation of GDP and Gross Value Added (GVA) for the unorganised sector, MoSPI said it follows methodologies outlined in official documents released in 2012 and 2015, both available in the public domain.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) gave India a ‘C’ grade
for its national accounts statistics.

A reply obtained under the Right to Information (RTI) Act by India Today from the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) shows that the government has not explained why the International Monetary Fund (IMF) gave India a ‘C’ grade for its national accounts statistics.
Instead, the ministry referred to publicly available IMF documents and existing statistical manuals.
RTI SEEKS CLARITY ON IMF GRADING
The RTI application asked MoSPI to respond to four key issues: the IMF’s evaluation of India’s GDP data quality, the method used to estimate output in the unorganised sector, the assumptions behind quarterly GDP estimates, and the progress of the ongoing GDP base-year revision.
NO CLEAR EXPLANATION OF IMF ASSESSMENT
When asked to explain the IMF’s assessment, MoSPI’s National Accounts Division did not highlight any specific shortcomings or concerns raised by the IMF. The ministry merely cited the IMF Staff Report from the 2025 Article IV Consultation, without summarising its findings or stating the government’s position.
As a result, the RTI reply does not clarify which aspects of India’s national accounts framework led to the ‘C’ grade.
UNORGANISED SECTOR ESTIMATED REMAIN UNCHANGED
On the estimation of GDP and Gross Value Added (GVA) for the unorganised sector, MoSPI said it follows methodologies outlined in official documents released in 2012 and 2015, both available in the public domain.
However, the response does not indicate whether any internal review was undertaken to assess the reliability of these estimates after major economic disruptions such as demonetisation, the rollout of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), and the Covid-19 pandemic, periods during which data availability for the informal economy was widely believed to have been disrupted.
QUARTERLY GDP BASED ON EXTRAPOLATION
The ministry confirmed that quarterly GDP estimates are prepared using the benchmark-indicator method. Under this approach, data for a quarter is extrapolated from the same quarter of the previous year using sector-specific indicators.
While the ministry acknowledged that data inputs are drawn from various government departments and private agencies, it did not disclose the assumptions used to bridge data gaps, nor did it specify steps taken to improve the robustness of high-frequency economic data.
NEW GDP SERIES TO BE RELEASED IN FEBRUARY 2026
On the long-awaited GDP base-year revision, MoSPI said FY 2022–23 has been chosen as the new base year, with revised national accounts scheduled for release on February 27, 2026.
The ministry has also published two discussion papers outlining proposed methodological changes under the production, income and expenditure approaches.
An Advisory Committee on National Account Statistics (ACNAS), chaired by economist BN Goldar, has been set up to guide improvements and the use of new data sources.
However, the RTI reply does not explain how the revised GDP series will specifically address concerns around unorganised sector estimation or respond to the IMF’s assessment of India’s data quality.

Digital Personal Data Protection Act does not ‘dilute’ RTI Act, A-G says in opinion

The Hindu: New Delhi: Saturday, 10^Th January 2026
Civil society groups have argued that the Act’s amendment of Section 8(1)(j), turning a partial exemption for government bodies to turn over “personal” information into a total exemption, undermined transparency. The Centre notified the RTI amendment in November 2025, even as other parts of the DPDP Act were given a 12-18 month implementation timeline.

Attorney-General for India R. Venkataramani said in a written opinion that the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 did not “dilute” the Right to Information Act, 2005, a government source said.
Civil society groups and transparency advocates have argued that the Act’s amendment of Section 8(1)(j), turning a partial exemption for government bodies to turn over “personal” information into a total exemption, undermined transparency.
However, Mr. Venkataramani said that a different part of the RTI Act, which had not been amended, would allow government bodies to disclose such personal information in response to RTI requests. “Section 8(2) of the RTI Act, 2005 mandates disclosure of exempted information whenever public interest outweighs harm,” the opinion said. Mr. Venkataramani declined to confirm authorship of the opinion when contacted by The Hindu, saying he did not respond to media queries.
‘Balance between privacy and transparency’
“There is no dilution of accountability and transparency due to [the] DPDP Act. It only provides a legal framework to ensure balance between privacy and transparency, as mandated by the Supreme Court in the Puttaswamy case judgment.”
The Union government, which notified the RTI amendment in November 2025, even as other parts of the DPDP Act were given a 12-18 month implementation timeline, has made a similar argument. Section 8(1) of the RTI Act lists out exemptions where “there shall be no obligation to give any citizen” information in response to a request.
The earlier language of Section 8(1)(j) exempted from providing “information which relates to personal information the disclosure of which has no relationship to any public activity or interest, or which would cause unwarranted invasion of the privacy of the individual unless the Central Public Information Officer or the State Public Information Officer or the appellate authority, as the case may be, is satisfied that the larger public interest justifies the disclosure of such information,” with a proviso that information that cannot be denied to Parliament cannot be denied to citizens.
That proviso, along with all words after “personal information,” were deleted, elicited strong condemnation from transparency activists, who had for years pushed back against the amendment’s implementation.