Archive · 31 Jul 2025
High Court Issues Notice Over Hybrid Hearing Non-Compliance
Imagine people have the right to ask for information from the government.
A court in Punjab said that the state's information commission should allow people to attend hearings online, using video calls.
But the court found out that this was not happening.
A person complained that this makes it hard for people in far away places to participate.
The court has now asked the Punjab government to explain why they haven't set up these online options, so that people can easily access hearings from anywhere.
The next hearing is planned for September.
Punjab and Haryana High Court issued notice to the Punjab Government.
The notice concerns the failure to implement hybrid hearings in the Punjab State Information Commission.
The PIL was filed by RTI activist Nikhil Thamman, challenging the lack of virtual hearing options.
Thamman argued the commission's inaction deprives citizens of access to proceedings.
The court posted the case for further hearing on September 15.
- Who
- The petitioner is 24-year-old RTI activist Nikhil Thamman, and the respondents are the Punjab Government and State Information Commission.
- What
- The Punjab and Haryana High Court issued a notice to the Punjab Government regarding the failure to implement hybrid hearings.
- When
- The notice was issued on Thursday, with the case posted for further hearing on September 15.
- Where
- The case involves the Punjab and Haryana High Court and the Punjab State Information Commission.
- Why
- The notice was issued because the Punjab State Information Commission has not implemented hybrid hearings as directed by the Supreme Court, potentially violating citizens' rights.
RTI Activist's Perspective
Government's Perspective
Access to Hearings
RTI Activist's Perspective
The commission's failure to provide virtual hearing options deprives citizens of access to quasi-judicial proceedings.
Government's Perspective
The government hasn't provided a counter perspective in this article.
- Court
- Punjab and Haryana High Court
- Petitioner
- Nikhil Thamman
- Subject
- Non-compliance with hybrid hearing directives
- Related Act
- Right to Information Act, 2005
- Next Hearing Date
- September 15
- Location of Petitioner
- Banur, SAS Nagar district