"Supreme Court Seeks States/UTs' Compliance on Setting Up Online RTI Portals"

On Monday, September 23, the Supreme Court sought responses from all States and Union Territories regarding a contempt petition alleging non-compliance with its ruling in the Pravasi Legal Cell v Union of India & Ors. case, which mandated the establishment of online RTI portals across the country. A bench led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, along with Justice JB Pardiwala, issued a notice in response to a petition filed by Anuj Nakade. The petition claimed that seven states and four Union Territories had yet to set up online RTI portals, while others either had incomplete portals or did not adhere to the "Guidelines for Indian Government Websites 3.0," especially concerning accessibility for the visually impaired. The court directed those notices be served to the states and UTs through standing counsels, and stated that personal appearances would not be required at this stage. In March 2023, the Supreme Court had instructed all High Courts to establish online RTI portals within three months if they had not already done so. This order was issued by a bench comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, Justice PS Narasimha, and Justice JB Pardiwala, following a plea seeking the creation of a system for filing RTI applications and appeals electronically in High Courts. Case: ANUJ NAKADE Versus DR. POONAM MALAKONDAIAH GOVT. OF ANDHRA PRADESH AND ORS. Diary No. 36812-2024 www.legalmeet.in