The Central Information Commission (CIC) has recently ruled that lawyers are prohibited from using the Right to Information (RTI) Act to obtain details regarding cases they are actively handling for their clients. The CIC stated that employing the RTI Act in this manner undermines its fundamental objectives.
The ruling emerged from a case concerning an advocate who filed a second appeal related to the termination of a fruits-and-vegetables supply contract at a Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya in Haryana. Information Commissioner Sudha Rani Relangi dismissed the appeal, noting that the advocate was seeking information on behalf of his brother, who had been the supplier. The CIC found it inappropriate that the advocate was seeking details on behalf of someone who could personally request the information.
In her order dated January 12, 2026, Relangi referenced a Madras High Court judgment, emphasizing that a practicing advocate cannot seek information about cases instituted by them on behalf of their client. The High Court had cautioned that allowing advocates to use the RTI Act for client cases would lead to widespread use of the law by lawyers seeking information to promote their practice, thereby distorting the RTI Act's objectives. The High Court stressed that the "laudable objectives of the RTI Act cannot be used for personal ends".
The CIC also addressed claims by the public authority that some records were destroyed in a fire and that personal information was correctly withheld under exemptions. Finding no issues with the Central Public Information Officer's (CPIO) response, the CIC disposed of the appeal but directed that copies of written submissions be shared with the appellant.
The Right to Information Act, enacted in 2005, empowers citizens to request information from public authorities to promote transparency and accountability. The recent CIC ruling clarifies the limitations on how legal professionals can utilize this act, ensuring it is not misused for professional gain. The decision aligns with the broader aim of the RTI Act to serve the public interest and prevent its exploitation for personal or professional purposes.
