Validity of State RTI Rules — various HCs
Quick Reply: State RTI Rules that impose excessive fees or form restrictions are ultra vires the Act. State RTI rules imposing excessive fees, word limits, or form restrictions.
Various High Courts · 2016-01-01 · Citation awaited
State RTI rules imposing excessive fees, word limits, or form restrictions beyond the Act are ultra vires.
Case details
| Court | Various High Courts |
|---|---|
| Decided | 2016-01-01 |
| Citation | Citation awaited |
| Petitioner | various RTI activists |
| Respondent | State Governments |
| RTI Act sections | §28, §6, §7 |
| Outcome | Partly allowed |
Outcome
State RTI Rules that impose excessive fees or form restrictions are ultra vires the Act.
Ratio decidendi
While States are empowered under §28 to make Rules, these cannot impose restrictions inconsistent with the Act — e.g., word limits on applications, excessive fees, or mandatory forms that deter genuine applicants.
Keywords
State Rules, §28, ultra vires, fees, word limit
Similar cases in the corpus
- Excessive fee calculation — §7(3) — CIC (CIC 2019)
- Inspection charges — Delhi HC (HC-DEL 2014)
- §22 vs. Official Secrets Act (SC 2016)
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.