Appellant has not approached CIC with clean hands

Information about allotment of lease and release from seizure of land comprising a particular GLR Survey No. was sought. The Directorate General Defence Estates replied that the Appellant mentioned incorrect date of application for allotment of lease in his RTI Application because of which the relevant information could not be provided to him and therefore, the Appellant was advised to file a fresh RTI Application in their office with correct date of application. The respondent added that First Appeal has been adjudicated on 31.05.2024 and the same has been taken on record. The Commission noted that the Appellant has willfully suppressed the replies provided by the CPIO and FAA while filing the instant Second Appeal. The CIC commented that the appellant has not approached the CIC with clean hands and his conduct is not appreciated.

Comments

The probability of obtaining the information sought increases if the conduct of the RTI applicant is transparent.

Citation: Chandra Kant Sonkar v. Directorate General Defence Estates, File No: CIC/DIGDE/A/2024/118526; Date of Decision: 12.12.2025

Dr Anuradha Verma (dranuradhaverma@yahoo.co.in) is a RTI Consultant currently working with IIM Vishakhapatnam. She has co-authored the books PIO’s Guide to RTI and Right to Information – Law and Practice. Her weekly article is being published since 2008 on this site. She offers consultancy on RTI matters and third party audit to individuals / organisations. Her other articles can be read at the website of RTI Foundation at the link https://www.rtifoundationofindia.com