Archive · 2 Feb 2026
Lawyers Criticize CIC Order on RTI Use
The Central Information Commission (CIC) recently said that lawyers cannot use the Right to Information (RTI) Act to get information for cases they are handling for their clients.
Lawyers are upset about this decision.
They say the RTI Act was made to help people get information easily and quickly, without having to go to court.
Before the RTI Act, people often had to go to high courts just to get basic information from the government.
Lawyers argue that the CIC's decision goes against the purpose of the RTI Act and could make it harder for people to hold the government accountable.
They also say that the decision might be unconstitutional because it adds extra rules that are not in the RTI Act.
The CIC issued an order barring advocates from using the RTI Act for cases they handle for clients.
The order was criticized by lawyers who argue it misconstrues the purpose of the RTI Act.
The CIC cited a Madras High Court ruling to support its decision, stating that allowing lawyers to seek such information could misuse the RTI Act.
Lawyers argue that the RTI Act was designed to provide a citizen-friendly mechanism to obtain information, avoiding delays and unnecessary use of judicial time.
The order has raised concerns about weakening the RTI framework and reducing its effectiveness as a tool for accountability.
- Who
- Lawyers and the Central Information Commission (CIC)
- What
- CIC order barring advocates from using RTI for client matters
- When
- Order issued recently, reported on February 1, 2024
- Where
- Mumbai, India
- Why
- CIC believes allowing lawyers to seek information for client cases could misuse the RTI Act
- Organization
- Central Information Commission (CIC)
- Act
- Right to Information (RTI) Act
- Case Involved
- Contractual dispute involving Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya in Haryana
- Court Ruling Cited
- Madras High Court ruling
- RTI Section Cited
- Section 6(2)
- Constitutional Article Cited
- Article 19(1)(a)