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Jharkhand HC Sets 4-Week Deadline to Revive Defunct Information Commission

The Jharkhand High Court has given the state government four weeks to make the defunct State Information Commission fully functional. The commission has been inactive for nearly five years, leaving citizens without a forum for RTI appeals. The court had earlier warned of contempt proceedings against officials for the delay. The petitioner highlighted the hardship caused to information seekers who are forced to approach the High Court directly.

Key Points: Jharkhand HC Orders Revival of Info Commission in 4 Weeks

  • HC grants 4-week deadline
  • Commission defunct for nearly 5 years
  • Contempt warning issued to officials
  • Vacant posts cripple RTI appeals
2 min read

After HC rap, Jharkhand govt promises to revive Information Commission in four weeks

Jharkhand govt assures HC it will make the defunct State Information Commission functional within four weeks after a contempt warning.

"concrete steps are being taken to activate the commission - Advocate General Rajiv Ranjan"

Ranchi, Jan 29

The Jharkhand government on Thursday assured the High Court that the State Information Commission, which has remained defunct for nearly five years, will be made fully functional within four weeks.

During the hearing before a division bench of Justice Sujit Narayan Prasad and Justice A.K. Rai on a petition filed by Virendra Singh, Advocate General Rajiv Ranjan, appearing for the state, submitted that concrete steps are being taken to activate the commission and that it would start functioning within the stipulated time.

Chief Secretary Avinash Kumar and the Secretary, Personnel, Administrative Reforms and Official Language Department, were present in court during the hearing, in compliance with the court's earlier directions.

In the previous hearing, the High Court had warned that contempt proceedings could be initiated against responsible officials if the Information Commission was not activated promptly. The Chief Secretary and the Personnel Secretary were directed to appear in person.

The court observed that despite its direction issued on December 12, 2025, the state government had failed to make any tangible progress in activating the commission.

After hearing the submissions on Thursday, the bench granted the government four weeks' time to ensure that the commission becomes functional.

During the proceedings, counsel for the petitioner submitted that the State Information Commission has remained inactive for almost five years, with the posts of Chief Information Commissioner and Information Commissioners lying vacant. As a result, citizens are left without a statutory forum to file appeals under the Right to Information Act, 2005.

It was further argued that this has caused serious hardship to information seekers, compelling them to approach the High Court directly, thereby adding to the court's workload.

Advocate Vikas Kumar appeared for the petitioner. The appellant, Virendra Singh, had sought information under the Right to Information Act, 2005, but did not receive a response within the prescribed 30-day period. Even after filing a first appeal, the department concerned failed to furnish the information.

In the absence of a functional State Information Commission to hear a second appeal, Singh approached the High Court under Article 226 of the Constitution.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Shreya B
This is so frustrating. My father filed an RTI about pension delays two years ago. No first appeal response, and no commission to go to. We felt completely helpless. The court had to threaten contempt to get them moving. Shows where transparency ranks on their priority list. 😔
R
Rahul R
Good step by the HC. But "promises in four weeks" after five years of inaction? We need to see action, not just assurances in court. The AG saying "concrete steps are being taken" sounds like the same old bureaucratic talk. Let's wait and watch.
P
Priyanka N
As a law student, this case is a classic example of how judicial intervention becomes necessary when executive machinery fails. Article 226 to the rescue! But it's sad that citizens have to approach the highest court for something a statutory commission should handle.
A
Avinash K
While I agree the delay is unacceptable, let's also acknowledge the government for finally committing to a timeline in court. Filling such posts sometimes involves procedures. Hope they appoint credible, independent-minded commissioners, not just political appointments.
M
Michael C
Watching from abroad, the RTI Act was seen as a global benchmark for transparency. Letting its enforcement body die for years undermines that entire legacy. This affects investment confidence too. Stability in governance systems matters.

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