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

MUMBAI: What's eating the State Information Commission (SIC)? Frivolous RTI pleas implicit samosas successful nationalist offices, it appears. SIC told Bombay precocious tribunal connected Wednesday it had received an RTI exertion to cognize however galore samosas are served successful a time successful a govt office.The misuse of RTI Act besides drew flak from HC. It said laws are made with a beneficial purpose, but "people usage them to look for sons-in-law... to find govt employees". "It's a paradox," said a seat of CJ Alok Aradhe and Justice Sandeep Marne.It was proceeding a PIL by erstwhile main accusation commissioner (CIC) Shailesh Gandhi and 5 RTI activists to nonstop SIC to springiness a roadmap for disposal of 2nd appeals and complaints wrong 45 days of filing.

SIC said the delays were owed to vacancies. State's advocator Jyoti Chavan said determination are 7 sanctioned posts of authorities accusation commissioners and 1 CIC. Four vacancies, including CIC, were filled successful April.

The petitioners sought 3 further posts of authorities accusation commissioners, citing astir 1 lakh pending 2nd appeals and complaints. Chavan said the authorities would determine connected it.When HC asked petitioners' advocator Sunil Ahya whether "their grievances basal redressed", helium said no, adding that the CIC was directed by HC successful Dec 2023 to record a study connected disposal of 2nd appeals.

The CJ mostly commented astir PIL petitioners "consistently uncovering responsibility with enactment of the govt". "They ever travel with a antagonistic cognition and are ne'er satisfied," helium said. The judges said they cannot grow the PIL's scope and added that RTI was misused.The judges said RTI Act does not incorporate immoderate clip bounds for 2nd appeals. They disposed of the PIL saying they "hope and trust" SIC "shall marque an endeavour to determine 2nd appeals/complaints arsenic expeditiously arsenic possible".