Punjab & Haryana HC Quashes RTI Ban on Activist Manjinder Singh, Affirms Citizens’ Right to Information

Chandigarh, August 10, 2025 – In a landmark decision likely to impact RTI interpretation nationwide, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has struck down the Punjab State Information Commission’s order barring activist Manjinder Singh from filing RTI applications for one year.

The court reaffirmed that even frequent RTI applicants cannot be denied their statutory rights without clear proof of wrongdoing, reinforcing transparency and accountability in governance.

The ban, issued on January 8, 2025, by State Information Commissioner Sandeep Singh Dhaliwal, followed hearings on around 70 RTI appeals filed by Singh. The Commission accused him of submitting “fabricated” applications aimed at harassing officials, blackmailing, and influencing government work for personal gain. It annulled previous penalties and compensations awarded to him and instructed departments to ignore repetitive or burdensome RTIs.

Singh challenged the decision, arguing his applications were strictly in the public interest, covering matters such as enforcement of speed governors in buses and permits for unlicensed vehicles. He said the ban silenced valid scrutiny of state functioning and posed a threat to public safety.

On July 9, 2025, Justice Harsimran Singh Sethi found no evidence of misconduct. Declaring the ban “not in public interest” and contrary to the RTI Act’s objectives, the court directed the Commission to assess all future RTIs from Singh on merit, either providing the requested information or issuing a lawful, reasoned refusal.

Responding to the state’s argument that Singh’s numerous RTIs overburdened departments, the court clarified that frequency or volume alone cannot justify a blanket restriction. Each request must be examined individually, and refusals must comply with Sections 8 or 9 of the Act.

The ruling sets a crucial precedent, warning information commissions nationwide against imposing broad restrictions on access to information without strong legal grounds.