RTI violation: BBMP engineer fined ₹25,000 for withholding information

Bengaluru

In a stern move against non-compliance with the Right to Information (RTI) Act, the Karnataka State Information Commission has imposed a fine of ₹25,000 on Pradeep, Executive Engineer of the BBMP’s Byatarayanapura division, for failing to provide information and skipping RTI hearings.

The action follows a petition filed by Ravikumar, a resident of Basaveshwaranagar, who had requested details of works executed under the Byatarayanapura BBMP office limits on October 25, 2024. Despite the 30-day deadline under the RTI Act, Pradeep failed to furnish the requested information.

Even after a first appeal hearing, the information was not provided, prompting the applicant to escalate the matter to the Karnataka Information Commission through a second appeal. Hearings were held on March 27 and May 6, presided over by State Information Commissioner Rudranna Harthikote, but the engineer remained absent on both occasions.

Citing this as a case of deliberate negligence and disregard for the law, the Commissioner ordered a penalty of ₹25,000, to be deducted from the engineer’s salary. Additionally, the Commission awarded a compensation of ₹3,000 to the RTI applicant for the hardship caused.

The Chief Engineer of BBMP has been instructed to recover the penalty from Pradeep’s salary and remit it to the concerned department, as well as ensure the applicant receives the compensation.

This order sends a clear message that government officials cannot ignore RTI obligations or the authority of the Information Commission without facing consequences.