RTI for court case delay — template + framework (2026)

Use this RTI when you have a court case stuck or delayed for any of these reasons:

• Adjournment without recorded reason
• Case not on cause list despite being ripe for hearing
• Certified copy of order delayed beyond 15 days
• Court vacancy data needed (no judge assigned)
• Listing logic / cause-list rules disputed
• Judge transfer mid-case without notice
• Bench composition change without explanation
• Mediation / Lok Adalat allocation unclear
• Court fee schedule disputed

• District Court matters: PIO designated by District Judge (usually Court Manager or Senior Registrar)
• High Court matters: Registrar (Administration) — most HCs have a designated CPIO
• Supreme Court matters: CPIO at Tilak Marg, New Delhi

To,
The Public Information Officer,
[Court Name] (e.g., Bombay High Court / District Court, Pune)
[Address]

Subject: Application under §6(1) of the Right to Information Act, 2005

Sir / Madam,

I am seeking the following information regarding case no. _________ ([party names]) currently pending in this Hon'ble Court:

1. Status of the matter as on date — date of last hearing, date of next listing, current bench.

2. Reasons for adjournment / non-listing in the past 30 days, with date-wise breakdown.

3. Number of similar matters (same nature, same court) pending in this Hon'ble Court, age-wise breakdown (< 1 year, 1-3 years, 3-5 years, > 5 years).

4. Procedure + estimated time for obtaining a certified copy of order dated _____ in the above matter.

5. Name + designation of the dealing officer / court master + the appellate authority designation under §19(1) of the RTI Act.

6. (For HC/SC) Current sanctioned vs working strength of judges in this court / division.

I enclose a court fee of Rs 10 (or as prescribed by [State] RTI Rules).

Yours faithfully,
[Name]
[Address]
[Date]

• PIO refuses citing “judicial records exempt” — judicial records (case file, orders, notings) are exempt under CPC + judicial discipline. But administrative records (vacancy, listing logic, infrastructure) ARE under RTI. Cite *Subhash Chandra Agarwal v CPIO* (SC 2019).

• “Information held with Bench” defense — administrative records are with the Registrar, not the Bench. PIO must obtain + provide.

• Long delay > 30 days — file first appeal under §19(1) to the FAA (usually Senior Registrar). Free.

• Certified copy genuine vs RTI — for a certified copy of an order, use the court counter route (faster). Use RTI for administrative records around the order.

• Within 30 days — PIO must respond per §7(1).
• No reply by day 30 — deemed refusal under §7(2). File first appeal.
• First appeal denied / unsatisfactory — second appeal to State Information Commission within 90 days.

Open the AI RTI Drafter → to auto-fill the PIO + appeal details for your specific court + state.

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Last reviewed: 26 April 2026.