Thursday, October 1, 2020

 RTI FLASH 5

Indian courts are frequently approached to adjudicate on Section 2 (h) and its sub sections of the RTI Act to determine what is a 'public authority' under Section 2(h) of the RTI Act 2005.

This happens because of the fossilized and still growing tendency of several organizations (schools/colleges/societies etc) including public sector undertakings to maintain secrecy and deny information requested by public under the Act.

Here are  some leading cases:

1. Non-Govt Schools/Colleges/Institutions receiving aid/funds/grant-in aid either from the State Govts or the Central Govt are fully covered under the definition of 'public authority' and so are liable to provide information requested under the Act.

        High Court of Bombay (Nagpur Bench)
        W.P No 5067/2009 
        Shikshan Pracharak Mandal, Kamptee & others Vs SIC Nagpur &                           Others
        Decided on 10-8-2010

 
       b. High Court of Punjab & Haryana
        
        WP No 453/2008
        Principal, M.D Sanatan Dharm Girls College, Ambala Vs SIC Haryana
        Decided on 14-1-2008

      c. Madras High Court, 
          
            WP No 36901/2006
          Diomand Jubilee Hr SecSchool Vs Union of India & Others
          Decided on 16-3-2007        

      d. Kerala High Court
          M.P Varghese Etc V MG University & Others
           Decided on 4-7-2007   (Kerala aided Pvt Colleges case)
                    

2. When there is even an iota of nexus regarding control and finance of the Public Authority over the activities of a private body, then such pvt body will fall under the RTI Act.
        Allahabad High Court
        Dharasingh Girls High School Vs State of U. P by Secretary (School Edn)
        Decided on 24-1-2008.

3. Whether receiving public funds or not , any pvt body/institution (here DAV College Trust), performing 'public functions' like education can not claim any exemption from application of Section 2 (h) of the RTI Act.

        Punjab & Haryana High Court
        DAV College Trust & Management Society Vs DPI and Others
        Decided on 25-2-2008.
        (citing a five-judge full bench of the court in Ravneet Kaur Vs The                     Christian Medical College, Ludhiyana.)

4. Institutions run by societies registered under Societies Regn Act  fall under the category of 'public authority' for the purpose of the RTI Act.

        Karnataka High Court
        S.S Angadi Vs State Information Commn, Karnataka & President                     Basava Samithi.
        Decided on 29-2-2008

5.TNPL is a public authority
         
         Madras High Court
         W.P no 47897/2006
          Decided on 17-4-2008

6. Tamilnadu Road devpmt corpn is a 'public authority'

        Madras High Court
        W.A No 81/2008 MP 1/2008
        TN Road Devpt Company Ltd Vs CIC ,Tamilnadu Chennai.

7. CJI is a 'public authority' under RTI Act 2005. (Classic case)

        Delhi High Court
        WP No 288/2009
        Secretary General SC Vs Subash Chandra Agarwal
        Decided on 12-1-2010

        

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