Jaipur High Court Sets Aside RTI Second Appeal Order: Major Relief in RTI Matter Against Rajasthan State Information Commission, Jaipur

In an important judgment for transparency and citizens’ rights, the Jaipur High Court has quashed an order passed by the Rajasthan State Information Commission, Jaipur, holding that information under the RTI Act cannot be denied merely because the records relate to events more than twenty years old. The Court clarified that Section 8(3) of the Right to Information Act actually supports disclosure after twenty years rather than blocking it. This ruling is highly relevant for anyone considering challenging second appellate authority order in RTI matters in High Court or filing an appeal before High Court for RTI in Jaipur Rajasthan.

Case Title, Date of Judgment and Case Number

Case Title: Dr. Mahipal Singh Sihag vs State Public Information Officer Cum Commissioner & Another
Case Number: S.B. Civil Writ Petition No. 5616/2022
Court: High Court of Judicature for Rajasthan, Bench at Jaipur
Judge: Hon’ble Mr. Justice Sameer Jain
Date of Judgment: 21 April 2026

Background of the RTI Dispute

The petitioner had filed an RTI application seeking service-related information regarding a third-party public servant, including joining date, retirement date, office orders and note sheets. The Public Information Officer rejected the request stating that the matter related to a third party and concerned events more than twenty years old. The first appeal was dismissed, and thereafter the Rajasthan State Information Commission, Jaipur, acting as the second appellate authority, also rejected the appeal on 18.12.2021. Aggrieved by this, the petitioner approached the Jaipur High Court under Article 227 of the Constitution.

Jaipur High Court Findings on RTI Law

The Jaipur High Court strongly criticised the reasoning adopted by the appellate authorities. The Court held that Section 8(3) of the RTI Act is a “sunset clause”, meaning that after twenty years most exemptions lose force and disclosure should ordinarily be allowed. Therefore, using the twenty-year rule as a ground to deny information was legally incorrect.

The Court further observed that where third-party information is involved, the authority must follow the procedure under Section 11 of the RTI Act by issuing notice to the concerned third party and balancing privacy rights with public interest. The second appellate authority failed to follow this mandatory legal process.

Final Order Passed by High Court

The Jaipur High Court quashed the order dated 18.12.2021 passed by the second appellate authority. The Court directed the competent authority to supply the requested information to the petitioner within sixty days. It also directed the Registrar (Judicial) to send a copy of the judgment to the Rajasthan State Information Commission, Jaipur for compliance.

Why This Judgment is Important for RTI Applicants in Rajasthan

This judgment is a strong precedent for citizens seeking transparency. It confirms that when an unjust order is passed by the Information Commission, parties may consider challenging second appellate authority order in RTI matters in High Court. It also strengthens the legal route of filing an appeal before High Court for RTI in Jaipur Rajasthan where statutory authorities misinterpret the RTI Act.

For litigants and advocates dealing with RTI disputes, this ruling from the Jaipur High Court sends a clear message that authorities must act according to law and cannot reject applications on arbitrary grounds