Information Commission imposes fine of Rs 25,000 on Bengaluru sub‑division officer, Rs 50,000 on tahsildar

BENGALURU: The Bengaluru North Sub‑Division Officer, Dr Kiran, who ignored a Right to Information (RTI) application and failed to provide the requested information on time, has been fined Rs 25,000 by the Information Commisson. The Bengaluru North Tahsildar, Madhuraj, has also been fined Rs 25,000 in two separate cases for similar lapses.

The Commission imposed the penalties not only because the officers missed the deadline for furnishing information, but also because they repeatedly failed to appear for the Commission’s hearings, showing a blatant disregard for the proceedings. In addition to the fines, the Commission issued a show‑cause notice to both officials, asking why disciplinary action should not be recommended to the government for violating the RTI Act.

Venkatesh, a resident of Belathur Colony in Bengaluru, had filed an RTI request several years ago seeking certain documents related to his land in K Dommasandra village. When the Sub‑Division Officer did not provide the information within the stipulated period, Venkatesh appealed to the Commission. The Commission ordered the officer to appear and explain, but Dr Kiran ignored the notice and continued to neglect the request.

Consequently, the Commission imposed a fine of Rs 25,000 and directed that the information be supplied immediately, warning of further disciplinary action.

Similarly, a resident Chandappa from Bengaluru had submitted an RTI application to the Bengaluru North Tahsildar requesting documents concerning his family property in Malagalu village. Tahsildar Madhuraj also failed to furnish the information and did not attend the Commission’s hearings.

Despite a show‑cause notice, he did not respond. The Commission fined him Rs 25,000 in each of the two cases (total ₹50,000) and ordered that the requested documents be provided forthwith, warning of departmental inquiry.

In recent times, the Commission has also penalised several other officials for ignoring RTI requests — Bengaluru South Sub‑Division Officer Vishwanath, Doddaballapur Sub‑Division Officer Durgashri, KR Pura Tahsildar Raju, and Devanahalli Tahsildar Anil, among others.

The Commission emphasized that anyone filing an RTI request must receive either the requested information or a proper reply within the prescribed timeframe. It also mandated that officials appear before the Commission in person or send a representative to offer an explanation. Failure to comply may result in fines and a recommendation for disciplinary action to the government. The Commission further noted that the RTI Act provides for compensation to applicants who are deliberately delayed or harassed by officials.