Dr Patel reminded the officer of these provisions but received no response. She then filed a first appeal with the Superintendent of Police, who, according to Pankti Jog, convener of Ahmedabad-based NGO Mahiti Adhikar Gujarat Pahel (MAGP), “was unaware of the PIO’s legal obligations under the RTI framework.”Following this, Dr Patel approached the Gujarat State Information Commission. The Chief Information Commissioner upheld her case and emphasised that forcing citizens to visit offices for payment or information was not just a procedural lapse but a violation of their rights under the RTI Act and Gujarat Rules. The Commission concluded that such non-compliance amounted to deliberate denial of information and imposed a Rs 5,000 penalty on the PIO.“This order is critical,” said Pankti Jog. “Citizens often report facing intimidation or uncooperative behaviour when they visit police stations for official purposes. It’s important to highlight that the Home Department received the highest number of RTI applications in Gujarat, 40,263 in 2023–24, according to the Commission’s annual report.”The ruling is expected to act as a precedent and a deterrent against misuse of power by public officials, especially in sensitive departments like the police.
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