Lost RTI application — PIO liability — CIC
Quick Reply: A misplaced / lost RTI application is no defence; public authority has a §5-read-with-§7 duty to track. 'Lost application' excuse fails; §5+§7 impose a tracking.
Central Information Commission · 2020-01-01 · Citation awaited
A misplaced / lost RTI application is no defence; public authority has a §5-read-with-§7 duty to track. 'Lost application' excuse fails; §5+§7 impose a tracking.
'Lost application' excuse fails; §5+§7 impose a tracking duty on the public authority.
Case details
| Court | Central Information Commission |
|---|---|
| Decided | 2020-01-01 |
| Citation | Citation awaited |
| Petitioner | RTI applicant |
| Respondent | Public authority |
| RTI Act sections | §5, §7, §20 |
| Outcome | Applicant allowed |
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Outcome
A misplaced / lost RTI application is no defence; public authority has a §5-read-with-§7 duty to track.
Ratio decidendi
A public authority's inability to locate a received RTI application does not excuse §7 non-response. §5 read with §7 imposes a minimum duty to maintain a receipt register and to be able to track any application. Repeated 'lost' excuses attract §20 liability for the designated PIO / Head of Institution.
Keywords
lost application, receipt register, CIC, §5
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Related
Editorial summary, not a certified report. The ratio here is an editorial compression. Before citing this ruling in a PIO order, FAA speaking order, or any appellate filing, verify against the full reported decision. RTI Wiki is not a legal service.
Editorial summary · last reviewed 21 April 2026.
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