News Band: Thane: Wednesday, 27 May 2026.
In a landmark ruling
strengthening citizens’ rights under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, the
State Information Commission (SIC) has ordered the Thane Municipal Corporation
(TMC) to pay Rs 10 lakh compensation to an applicant for causing a prolonged
delay in providing information.
The historic order was passed by State Information Commissioner Shekhar Channe of the Konkan Bench, who termed the case a serious example of bureaucratic negligence and administrative apathy.
The case was filed by Janba Parshuram Patil, who had sought official property transfer records from 1986 to 1996 related to a property under the jurisdiction of TMC. However, the civic administration repeatedly delayed providing the documents, citing reasons such as the age of the records and the non-existence of the ward committee from that period.
Frustrated by the prolonged delay, Patil approached the SIC through a second appeal.
Invoking Section 19(8)(b) of the RTI Act, the Commission directed TMC to pay Rs 10 lakh compensation to the applicant within 30 days through cheque payment.
During the hearing, Commissioner Shekhar Channe observed that technical difficulties in locating old records cannot become an excuse to deny citizens their legal rights. He stressed that government records are essential for citizens to defend their rights, especially when related court cases are pending.
“A citizen cannot be deprived of justice merely because the administration failed to preserve or trace records,” the Commission observed.
Representing TMC, Assistant Commissioner Balu Pichad informed the Commission that the corporation had not deliberately withheld information and had recently formed a “Special Search Team” consisting of clerks and peons to trace old files. He also stated that show-cause notices and disciplinary action had been initiated against negligent employees.
While acknowledging the corrective steps taken by the corporation, the Commission ruled that the delay had already caused significant hardship and financial damage to the applicant.
Legal experts have described the verdict as a “historic and balanced judgment” that reinforces transparency, accountability and the spirit of the RTI Act. The next hearing in the matter is scheduled for May 27, 2026.
The historic order was passed by State Information Commissioner Shekhar Channe of the Konkan Bench, who termed the case a serious example of bureaucratic negligence and administrative apathy.
The case was filed by Janba Parshuram Patil, who had sought official property transfer records from 1986 to 1996 related to a property under the jurisdiction of TMC. However, the civic administration repeatedly delayed providing the documents, citing reasons such as the age of the records and the non-existence of the ward committee from that period.
Frustrated by the prolonged delay, Patil approached the SIC through a second appeal.
Invoking Section 19(8)(b) of the RTI Act, the Commission directed TMC to pay Rs 10 lakh compensation to the applicant within 30 days through cheque payment.
During the hearing, Commissioner Shekhar Channe observed that technical difficulties in locating old records cannot become an excuse to deny citizens their legal rights. He stressed that government records are essential for citizens to defend their rights, especially when related court cases are pending.
“A citizen cannot be deprived of justice merely because the administration failed to preserve or trace records,” the Commission observed.
Representing TMC, Assistant Commissioner Balu Pichad informed the Commission that the corporation had not deliberately withheld information and had recently formed a “Special Search Team” consisting of clerks and peons to trace old files. He also stated that show-cause notices and disciplinary action had been initiated against negligent employees.
While acknowledging the corrective steps taken by the corporation, the Commission ruled that the delay had already caused significant hardship and financial damage to the applicant.
Legal experts have described the verdict as a “historic and balanced judgment” that reinforces transparency, accountability and the spirit of the RTI Act. The next hearing in the matter is scheduled for May 27, 2026.
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