In a significant move to protect the integrity of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, the Odisha Information Commission (OIC) has taken the unprecedented step of approaching the police to investigate a “habitual” RTI applicant accused of using the law as a tool for extortion.
What happens when truth-seeking activists take up the mantle of transparency? While the RTI Act was designed to empower citizens and ensure government accountability, some individuals are reportedly subverting this democratic tool for personal gain. This case highlights a disturbing trend that critics have long feared: the filing of repetitive or targeted applications not for public interest, but as a lever to extract bribes from officials in exchange for withdrawing the queries.
The Allegations:
The Odisha Information Commission recently flagged the activities of an applicant who had filed hundreds of RTI applications across various government departments. Upon closer scrutiny, the Commission observed a suspicious pattern: the applicant would frequently file appeals and then abruptly withdraw them after reaching “settlements” with the concerned public officials.
State Information Commissioner (SIC) Dilip Kumar Das, who spearheaded the referral to the police, noted that such “habitual” behavior suggests a predatory use of the Act. Instead of seeking information to expose corruption or improve governance, the applicant allegedly targeted officials with the intent of intimidation and financial gain.