RTIs filed over samosas & grooms, Bombay HC irked by misuse

MUMBAI: What's eating the State Information Commission (SIC)? Frivolous RTI pleas over samosas in public offices, it appears. SIC told Bombay high court on Wednesday it had received an RTI application to know how many samosas are served in a day in a govt office.The misuse of RTI Act also drew flak from HC. It said laws are made with a beneficial purpose, but "people use them to look for sons-in-law... to find govt employees". "It's a paradox," said a bench of CJ Alok Aradhe and Justice Sandeep Marne.It was hearing a PIL by former chief information commissioner (CIC) Shailesh Gandhi and five RTI activists to direct SIC to give a roadmap for disposal of second appeals and complaints within 45 days of filing.

SIC said the delays were due to vacancies. State's advocate Jyoti Chavan said there are seven sanctioned posts of state information commissioners and one CIC. Four vacancies, including CIC, were filled in April.

The petitioners sought three additional posts of state information commissioners, citing nearly 1 lakh pending second appeals and complaints. Chavan said the state would decide on it.When HC asked petitioners' advocate Sunil Ahya whether "their grievances stand redressed", he said no, adding that the CIC was directed by HC in Dec 2023 to file a report on disposal of second appeals.

The CJ generally commented about PIL petitioners "consistently finding fault with action of the govt". "They always come with a negative attitude and are never satisfied," he said. The judges said they cannot expand the PIL's scope and added that RTI was misused.The judges said RTI Act does not contain any time limit for second appeals. They disposed of the PIL saying they "hope and trust" SIC "shall make an endeavour to decide second appeals/complaints as expeditiously as possible".