Times of India: Ludhiana: Thursday, 5Th
February 2026.
The Punjab State Information Commission has taken the rare step of issuing a bailable warrant against a senior municipal corporation (MC) official following a series of missed hearings in a Right to Information (RTI) appeal.
The warrant was issued
against Kuljit Singh Mangat, who serves as the public information officer
(PIO)-cum-assistant town planner (ATP) for the MC's building branch (Zone D).
The decision comes after the official reportedly ignored multiple summons and a
formal show-cause notice.
A Pattern of Non-Compliance
State information commissioner Harpreet Singh Sandhu has said the case stems from an appeal filed by Jasvir Singh of Guru Nanak Nagar, and the PIO's absence has stalled the legal process for months. Four consecutive hearings were missed. A show-cause notice issued previously to the official also went unaddressed. Under the RTI Act, the commission has the authority to compel attendance through police intervention if an officer fails to discharge their duty to provide information.
Police Intervention Mandated
In a significant move to ensure accountability, the commission has directed the Ludhiana police commissioner to personally ensure the warrant is served. "The commissioner has been ordered to not only serve a copy of these warrants on Kuljit Singh Mangat but also provide strict instructions for him to appear before the commission on the next scheduled date," commissioner Sandhu stated.
The official is now legally required to present himself before the PSIC on March 11. Failure to appear could result in further disciplinary action or financial penalties as prescribed under the Right to Information Act. The RTI Act mandates that PIOs provide requested data within 30 days. Continuous delays or refusal to attend hearings is viewed by the commission as a significant obstruction of a citizen's fundamental right to information.
The Punjab State Information Commission has taken the rare step of issuing a bailable warrant against a senior municipal corporation (MC) official following a series of missed hearings in a Right to Information (RTI) appeal.
A Pattern of Non-Compliance
State information commissioner Harpreet Singh Sandhu has said the case stems from an appeal filed by Jasvir Singh of Guru Nanak Nagar, and the PIO's absence has stalled the legal process for months. Four consecutive hearings were missed. A show-cause notice issued previously to the official also went unaddressed. Under the RTI Act, the commission has the authority to compel attendance through police intervention if an officer fails to discharge their duty to provide information.
Police Intervention Mandated
In a significant move to ensure accountability, the commission has directed the Ludhiana police commissioner to personally ensure the warrant is served. "The commissioner has been ordered to not only serve a copy of these warrants on Kuljit Singh Mangat but also provide strict instructions for him to appear before the commission on the next scheduled date," commissioner Sandhu stated.
The official is now legally required to present himself before the PSIC on March 11. Failure to appear could result in further disciplinary action or financial penalties as prescribed under the Right to Information Act. The RTI Act mandates that PIOs provide requested data within 30 days. Continuous delays or refusal to attend hearings is viewed by the commission as a significant obstruction of a citizen's fundamental right to information.
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