Samosas in the spotlight: HC says RTI meant for governance, not snacks
The
Bombay High Court
was recently told that the Maharashtra
State Information Commission
(SIC) received a strange RTI application asking how many samosas are served daily in a government office. The court expressed concern over such frivolous uses of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, saying laws meant for the public good are being misused. "People use them to look for sons-in-law or track government employees. It's a paradox," remarked Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Sandeep Marne.
The court was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by former Chief Information Commissioner Shailesh Gandhi and five RTI activists. They wanted the SIC to be directed to clear second appeals and complaints within 45 days of being filed. In response, SIC said the delays are due to staff shortages.
The state government's lawyer, Jyoti Chavan, informed the court that there are eight sanctioned posts—seven commissioners and one chief—but only four of them were filled recently. The petitioners asked for three more commissioners, pointing out that around 1 lakh appeals and complaints are still pending. Chavan said the government would consider it.
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When the court asked if the petitioners were satisfied, their lawyer Sunil Ahya said no, noting that the SIC was earlier directed (in December 2023) to submit a report on the disposal of second appeals.
The Chief Justice also commented that PIL petitioners often focus only on the negatives and are never satisfied with the government's actions.
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The judges clarified that the RTI Act doesn't mention a specific time limit for resolving second appeals. They concluded the case, expressing hope that the SIC would try to resolve appeals and complaints as quickly as possible.
[With TOI inputs]
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