Archive · 23 Jul 2025
Bengaluru's Century Club is a 'public authority' under RTI: Court
Imagine a club in Bengaluru called Century Club, which got land a long time ago from a Maharaja.
Someone wanted to see some of their records, but the club said they didn't have to share them because they weren't a 'public authority.'
Now, a court has said the club is a public authority.
This means they do have to share information under the Right to Information Act.
The court decided this because the land was originally given by the Maharaja, which is like a gift from the government, and that's considered 'substantial funding'.
The club argued the land was just a gift, and they are run by the members, but the court disagreed.
Karnataka High Court ruled Century Club is a public authority under RTI Act.
The court dismissed the club's challenge to an earlier order from 2018.
The ruling stems from a lawyer's request for club records in 2012.
The court considered the 7.5-acre land grant from the Maharaja of Mysore as substantial state funding.
The club argued it wasn't substantially funded and thus not subject to RTI.
- Who
- The Karnataka High Court, Century Club, S Umapathy (lawyer).
- What
- Karnataka High Court ruled Century Club is a public authority, subject to RTI Act.
- When
- The ruling was made on July 8th, but the case concerns a 2012 request.
- Where
- Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
- Why
- To determine if Century Club is a public authority and must provide information under the RTI Act.
Century Club's Arguments
Karnataka High Court Ruling
Substantial Funding
Century Club's Arguments
The club argued that the initial land grant didn't constitute "substantial financing".
Karnataka High Court Ruling
The court determined that the land grant by the Maharaja did constitute "substantial funding."
- Court
- Karnataka High Court
- Case
- Century Club vs. Karnataka Information Commission
- Club Location
- Bengaluru, India
- Land Area
- 7.5 acres
- Original Grant
- Maharaja of Mysore
- Relevant Act
- Right To Information Act (RTI)