Central Information Commission · 2019-01-01 · Citation awaited
Inflated copy-fees under §7(3) = constructive refusal; directly appealable under §19(1).
| Court | Central Information Commission |
|---|---|
| Decided | 2019-01-01 |
| Citation | Citation awaited |
| Petitioner | RTI applicant |
| Respondent | PIO |
| RTI Act sections | §7(3) |
| Outcome | Applicant allowed |
A PIO demanding unjustified copy-fees treated as constructive refusal; applicant may appeal under §19.
When a PIO intimates a copy-fee that is grossly disproportionate to the reasonable photocopy cost — e.g., Rs 500 per page — that amounts to a constructive refusal. The applicant may seek review under §7(3) proviso or directly file a First Appeal under §19(1) treating the inflated fee as a de facto denial.
copy fees, §7(3), CIC, constructive refusal
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Editorial summary · last reviewed 21 April 2026.