The SIC may seek an explanation from the Kochi Corporation regarding the alleged move to restrict RTI applications

The State Information Commission (SIC), Keralam, is likely to ask the Kochi Corporation to clarify its reported move against those who repeatedly file applications under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.

The civic body had last week decided to hand over details of those who had repeatedly filed RTI applications to the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau to probe their financial background.

The civic authorities claimed that the decision was taken on the basis of complaints that several complainants were misusing the provisions of the Act.

Mayor VK Minimol informed the board of the company that the civic body will forward the list of such applicants to the anti-corruption office. She said the move was not meant to curtail the provisions of the RTI Act but to act against those who misuse the Act.

Meanwhile, the SIC meeting scheduled for Wednesday will discuss the issue after being suo motu apprised of the development.

The commission is likely to seek information from the civic body about the circumstances under which such a decision was taken. The forum may also find out whether any resolution has been passed by the civic body seeking curbs on RTI applications, sources privy to the development said.

Sources in the SIC said that no limit can be imposed on the number of RTI applications that can be filed as the law does not prescribe a ceiling on the permissible number.

The legal provisions of PWD result from Article 19 paragraph 1 letter a) of the Constitution, which guarantees all citizens the right to freedom of speech and expression. No penalty or cost could be imposed on any citizen, nor could steps be taken to deter anyone from seeking any information from the authority as mandated by law under the RTI Act, sources said.

However, petitioners should also remember the Supreme Court’s observations in CBSE vs Bandhopadhyay and others, in which the apex court pointed out that the law must not be “misused or misused to become an instrument of obstruction to national development and integration and destruction of peace and tranquility and harmony among citizens”.

The court further suggested that the law should not be “turned into an instrument of oppression or intimidation of honest officials doing their duty. The nation does not want a scenario where 75% of public sector employees spend 75% of their time gathering and providing information to applicants instead of performing their duties,” SIC sources said.

Published – 13 Oct 2026 21:46 IST