Charge-Sheet Copy RTI — §173(2) CrPC + RTI route (2026)

Section 207 CrPC mandates the Magistrate to furnish a free copy of the charge-sheet, FIR, statements u/s 161 and 164, and other documents to the accused as soon as cognizance is taken. Delays in copy supply are a chronic violation. RTI to the police OR the court PIO compels disclosure.

• RTI Act, 2005 §6, §7(1), §8(1)(h) (live-investigation exemption ceases after charge-sheet).
• CrPC §173(2) — police final report (charge-sheet).
• CrPC §207 — Magistrate to supply free copies to accused.
• Bhagat Singh v. CIC (Delhi HC, 2007) — §8(1)(h) does not survive once investigation is over.
• Lalita Kumari v. UoI (SC, 2013) — FIR mandatory; charge-sheet flows from valid FIR.

To:
The Public Information Officer (PIO),
[Office name + address].

Subject: RTI under §6 — Charge-sheet copy in FIR No. [NO]/[YEAR], PS [NAME]

Sir/Madam,

Under the RTI Act, 2005, kindly provide:

1. Certified copy of the charge-sheet filed under §173(2) CrPC in
   FIR No. [NO] dated [DATE] of PS [NAME].
2. Date of filing of the charge-sheet at the [COURT NAME].
3. Court Case Number (CC/SC No.) assigned upon cognizance.
4. List of documents annexed to the charge-sheet (Memo of Evidence).
5. Status of supply of free copies to the undersigned under §207 CrPC.
6. Whether prosecution sanction (if any required) has been obtained.

I am the [accused / complainant / informant]. My identity proof is enclosed.

§8(1)(h) is not applicable as investigation is concluded with the
filing of charge-sheet — Bhagat Singh v. CIC (Delhi HC, 2007).

Rs. 10 IPO enclosed.

Yours faithfully,
[Name]
[Address + phone + email]
[Date]

• Day 31 (no reply) — First Appeal to the SP-rank FAA / Court Registrar PIO.
• Day 76 — Second Appeal to the State Information Commission (SIC) of the State concerned.
• Parallel — Application to the Magistrate under §207 CrPC + a contempt-of-court application if the court PIO refuses.
• Parallel — Approach the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) for free legal aid; they often expedite copy supply.

• Bhagat Singh v. CIC (Delhi HC, 2007) — §8(1)(h) does not survive once investigation is concluded. Charge-sheet copy is disclosable.
• Lalita Kumari v. UoI (SC, 2013) — Constitution Bench — FIR registration is mandatory; charge-sheet is the natural follow-up.
• Vinubhai Haribhai Malaviya v. State of Gujarat (SC, 2019) — Magistrate has continuing supervisory role over investigation; charge-sheet supply is judicially enforceable.

• Filing RTI before charge-sheet is filed — §8(1)(h) exemption will apply.
• Asking for case-diary (separate exemption — not disclosable to accused).
• Filing to the wrong PS — must be the PS that registered the FIR.
• Forgetting to attach identity proof — police will refuse on 'who are you' ground.
• Asking for prosecution sanction file noting — that is internal deliberation, often partially exempt.

Yes — complainants have standing as 'persons interested' under §439 CrPC; RTI route is also valid.

No — Bhagat Singh v. CIC settled that §8(1)(h) protection ceases on filing of charge-sheet.

Then file RTI to the Court Registrar (court PIO). Both have parallel custody.

• FIR copy RTI
• Closure report (final report negative) RTI
• Court case records RTI
• Investigation RTI — PIO playbook
• File RTI online — 12 steps
• RTI — 25 questions answered

• RTI Act, 2005 — full text.
• Citation chain in body.
• Citizen Charter of the relevant authority.
• Case-law database at /cases/search.

Last reviewed: 24 April 2026.