Archive · 20 Sep 2025
Mumbai Housing Department's RTI Data Surfaces After Inquiry
Imagine someone asked for information from the government about how many people asked them questions (RTI applications).
The government initially said they didn't get any requests.
But after a news report and a request to get the information, they suddenly found the data.
An activist, Mehul Hariya, is concerned because the dates on the documents seem fishy.
He thinks the government may have made up these records after the fact.
This makes it look like the government isn't being completely honest about what it's doing and raises questions about how trustworthy the information is that is provided in government reports.
RTI data for the SRA's 18th annual report surfaced in the housing department.
A report showed the SRA had received zero RTI applications in 2023.
Activist Mehul Hariya filed 12 RTI applications in 2023.
The first appeal was delayed by five months.
Hariya suspects post-facto record creation.
- Who
- Mehul Hariya, SRA and Mumbai Housing Department
- What
- Data related to RTI applications mysteriously surfaced after an appeal.
- When
- Applications filed in 2023, appeal in February 2024, hearing in August 2024
- Where
- Mumbai
- Why
- Suspicion of post-facto record creation and manipulation of documents.
- Organization
- Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA)
- Department
- Mumbai Housing Department
- Activist
- Mehul Hariya
- Report Date
- July 11
- First Appeal Lodged
- February 25
- Hearing Date
- August 25