Allahabad High Court imposes ₹6.7 lakh costs on RTI misuse litigant

This digest summarizes notable Right to Information (RTI) rulings from Indian High Courts in August 2026. It covers legal questions regarding the scope of public authority obligations, the status of private documents, and penalties for misuse of the RTI Act.

The rulings concern various High Courts (Bombay, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Rajasthan, and Allahabad) and public authorities such as local bodies, the Kerala Public Service Commission (KPSC), and the Karnataka Information Commission. The applicants involved include RTI seekers, activists filing mass appeals, and litigants accused of misuse.

• Public authorities are not obliged to collect information from private bodies to fulfill RTI requests.
• Private documents stored in public offices do not automatically become public documents under the RTI Act.
• Approved building plans by local bodies are not considered 'personal information' and can be disclosed.
• Non-supply of RTI information after election results is not a 'corrupt practice' under the Representation of the People Act.
• Communications from competent authorities prevail over RTI-furnished information if unrebutted.
• RTI applicants cannot be accompanied by third parties to inspect records if they are not conversant with the language or content.
• Courts may impose costs for misuse of the RTI Act and disturbing proceedings.

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