Times of India: Bhubaneswar: Thursday, 8Th
January 2026.
The Odisha Information Commission (OIC) directed police authorities to investigate a habitual RTI applicant facing bribery allegations. The OIC wrote to the Director General of Police, Odisha, seeking an appropriate probe into the matter.
According to the
commission, it recently received a complaint along with a video clip in which
an RTI applicant, Tankadhar Sahu of Balangir district, was allegedly seen
demanding money from a public information officer (PIO) in exchange for
withdrawing an RTI-related complaint.
After examining records, the commission found that Sahu filed hundreds of RTI applications against various govt departments, many of which are currently at different stages of hearing before the commission.
The commission said further verification indicated that the applicant frequently stays in Bhubaneswar and allegedly demands bribes from PIOs and first appellate authorities who appear for hearings before the Odisha Information Commission. It was also alleged that he sought adjournments during hearings and later withdrew cases after receiving illegal benefits.
“The matter was placed before the full bench of the commission, which decided to forward the case, along with the video clip and related materials, to police authorities for investigation. The commission also decided to keep all cases filed by the applicant in abeyance until the police investigation is completed,” the commission said.
The commission directed all PIOs and first appellate authorities to identify other instances of alleged misuse of the Right to Information Act, 2005. The commission said it would take strong action against misuse of the RTI Act.
The Odisha Information Commission (OIC) directed police authorities to investigate a habitual RTI applicant facing bribery allegations. The OIC wrote to the Director General of Police, Odisha, seeking an appropriate probe into the matter.
After examining records, the commission found that Sahu filed hundreds of RTI applications against various govt departments, many of which are currently at different stages of hearing before the commission.
The commission said further verification indicated that the applicant frequently stays in Bhubaneswar and allegedly demands bribes from PIOs and first appellate authorities who appear for hearings before the Odisha Information Commission. It was also alleged that he sought adjournments during hearings and later withdrew cases after receiving illegal benefits.
“The matter was placed before the full bench of the commission, which decided to forward the case, along with the video clip and related materials, to police authorities for investigation. The commission also decided to keep all cases filed by the applicant in abeyance until the police investigation is completed,” the commission said.
The commission directed all PIOs and first appellate authorities to identify other instances of alleged misuse of the Right to Information Act, 2005. The commission said it would take strong action against misuse of the RTI Act.
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