Tripura Times: Agartala: Wednesday, 8th July
2026.
The Tripura Human Rights Commission (THRC) has suggested the state Revenue Department to examine allegations of misconduct against officials of the Directorate of Land Records and Settlement (DLRS) during the hearing of a Right to Information (RTI) appeal.
In an interim order, the
Commission, headed by Justice Arindam Lodh, asked the Secretary of the Revenue
Department to conduct an inquiry into the allegations and submit a report
before the next scheduled hearing.
“Before taking cognizance of the complaint, the Commission thinks it appropriate to send the copy of the complaint to the Secretary, Revenue Department, Govt. of Tripura with request to make an inquiry /investigation as to the allegation lodged by the complaint and to submit a report by the next date,” the order of the commission reads.
The complaint was filed by advocate Uttam Das, a member of the Tripura Bar Association, who alleged that officials involved in the RTI appeal proceedings behaved in an inappropriate and unprofessional manner during a hearing held on July 01.
According to the complaint, the RTI application was submitted on April 2, but no reply was received within the time prescribed under the RTI Act. The applicant subsequently filed a first appeal and later issued a reminder. Although the department eventually provided a partial response, Das alleged that several documents sought under the application were still not supplied.
The complaint further claimed that tensions arose during the hearing after the complainant referred to the penalty provisions contained in Section 20 of the RTI Act. It alleged that the State Public Information Officer (SPIO) accused him of violating the decorum of the proceedings, wasting official time and arguing unnecessarily before the First Appellate Authority (FAA).
Das also alleged that the First Appellate Authority did not intervene despite the situation escalating and that the SPIO left the hearing before the proceedings concluded. The complaint additionally accused the RTI Cell dealing assistant of making dismissive remarks, allegedly stating that even approaching the Human Rights Commission would have no consequences.
The petition also alleged that the SPIO remarked that the RTI application fee should be increased to discourage what he described as misuse of the Act. It further claimed that records relating to land conversion and associated procedures were deliberately withheld despite being available with the department.
After examining the complaint, the Human Rights Commission observed that the allegations warranted an independent verification before any further action could be considered. It has therefore sought a detailed inquiry report from the Revenue Department.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on July 28, by which time the Commission expects the Revenue Department to place its findings on record.
The Tripura Human Rights Commission (THRC) has suggested the state Revenue Department to examine allegations of misconduct against officials of the Directorate of Land Records and Settlement (DLRS) during the hearing of a Right to Information (RTI) appeal.
“Before taking cognizance of the complaint, the Commission thinks it appropriate to send the copy of the complaint to the Secretary, Revenue Department, Govt. of Tripura with request to make an inquiry /investigation as to the allegation lodged by the complaint and to submit a report by the next date,” the order of the commission reads.
The complaint was filed by advocate Uttam Das, a member of the Tripura Bar Association, who alleged that officials involved in the RTI appeal proceedings behaved in an inappropriate and unprofessional manner during a hearing held on July 01.
According to the complaint, the RTI application was submitted on April 2, but no reply was received within the time prescribed under the RTI Act. The applicant subsequently filed a first appeal and later issued a reminder. Although the department eventually provided a partial response, Das alleged that several documents sought under the application were still not supplied.
The complaint further claimed that tensions arose during the hearing after the complainant referred to the penalty provisions contained in Section 20 of the RTI Act. It alleged that the State Public Information Officer (SPIO) accused him of violating the decorum of the proceedings, wasting official time and arguing unnecessarily before the First Appellate Authority (FAA).
Das also alleged that the First Appellate Authority did not intervene despite the situation escalating and that the SPIO left the hearing before the proceedings concluded. The complaint additionally accused the RTI Cell dealing assistant of making dismissive remarks, allegedly stating that even approaching the Human Rights Commission would have no consequences.
The petition also alleged that the SPIO remarked that the RTI application fee should be increased to discourage what he described as misuse of the Act. It further claimed that records relating to land conversion and associated procedures were deliberately withheld despite being available with the department.
After examining the complaint, the Human Rights Commission observed that the allegations warranted an independent verification before any further action could be considered. It has therefore sought a detailed inquiry report from the Revenue Department.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on July 28, by which time the Commission expects the Revenue Department to place its findings on record.
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