Table of Contents
Section 20 Penalty Petition Format (2026)
§20(1) penalty is mandatory if PIO is found to have delayed/denied without reasonable cause. Often filed alongside second appeal.
What the form needs
- Petitioner name + address
- PIO name + designation + office
- RTI application no. + date
- Date PIO received vs date PIO replied (or didn't)
- Specific delay calculation (Rs 250/day over 30-day deadline)
- Public-interest impact statement
- Pray for §20(1) penalty + §20(2) departmental action
- Enclosures (RTI, PIO reply if any, FAA order)
Where to submit
Filed before Information Commission with second appeal OR separately.
Fee
FREE.
Timeline
IC decides on §19(3) merits + §20 penalty in same order usually.
Tips + common mistakes
- Penalty is on PIO PERSONALLY, not the office
- §20(2) departmental action is separate — career consequences
- Burden on PIO to show “reasonable cause” for delay
- Most penalties: Rs 5,000-15,000. Rs 25,000 max for serial offenders
If submitted form is rejected / delayed — file an RTI
Forms get “lost”, “incomplete”, “wrong section” — RTI brings out the actual file noting and officer name, which usually resolves the issue within 15 days.
Auto-fill the PIO + your case: Open the RTI Drafter →
Related
Last reviewed: 25 April 2026.