Allahabad High Court levies ₹6.7 lakh in RTI misuse costs

This collection summarizes notable Right to Information (RTI) rulings from Indian High Courts and the Central Information Commission, covering questions regarding the scope of public authority obligations, the classification of private versus public documents, and penalties for misuse of the RTI Act.

The rulings concern public authorities such as local bodies, the Kerala Public Service Commission (KPSC), and various state information commissions. The applicants involved include RTI seekers, activists who filed thousands of applications, and litigants accused of misusing the Act or disturbing court proceedings.

• Public authorities are not obliged to collect information from private bodies to satisfy applicants.
• 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 a third party 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.

Written from the document by AI, and checked against it. The original below is authoritative.

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