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+{{htmlmetatags>metatag-keywords=(charge sheet rti, 173 crpc, charge sheet copy delay, accused right to copy, police rti, prosecution sanction)
+metatag-description=(Police filed charge-sheet but accused/complainant has not received copy. RTI to SP/Court PIO: §173(2) CrPC + Section 207 right. Template + case law (2026).)
+metatag-title=(Charge-Sheet Copy RTI — §173(2) CrPC + RTI route (2026))}}
+====== Charge-Sheet Copy RTI — §173(2) CrPC + RTI route (2026) ======
+{{ :social:auto:charge-sheet-copy-rti.png?direct&1200 |Charge-Sheet Copy RTI — §173(2) CrPC + RTI route (2026)}}
+{{page>snippets:dpdp-banner}}
+<WRAP info>
+The investigating officer has filed final report under §173(2) CrPC but you have not been given the charge-sheet copy. §207 CrPC entitles the accused to a free copy. RTI is the enforcement route.
+</WRAP>
+===== Why this RTI works =====
+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.
+===== Legal framework =====
+  * **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.
+===== RTI template — copy & file =====
+<code>
+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:
+. Certified copy of the charge-sheet filed under §173(2) CrPC in
+   FIR No. [NO] dated [DATE] of PS [NAME].
+. Date of filing of the charge-sheet at the [COURT NAME].
+. Court Case Number (CC/SC No.) assigned upon cognizance.
+. List of documents annexed to the charge-sheet (Memo of Evidence).
+. Status of supply of free copies to the undersigned under §207 CrPC.
+. 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]
+</code>
+===== Escalation timeline =====
+  * **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.
+===== Case law anchors =====
+  * **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.
+===== Common mistakes =====
+  * 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.
+===== Frequently asked questions =====
+==== I am the complainant, can I get the charge-sheet? ====
+Yes — complainants have standing as 'persons interested' under §439 CrPC; RTI route is also valid.
+==== Can §8(1)(h) be invoked? ====
+No — Bhagat Singh v. CIC settled that §8(1)(h) protection ceases on filing of charge-sheet.
+==== What if police say file is with court? ====
+Then file RTI to the Court Registrar (court PIO). Both have parallel custody.
+===== Related reading =====
+  * [[:fir-copy-rti|FIR copy RTI]]
+  * [[:closure-report-rti|Closure report (final report negative) RTI]]
+  * [[:court-case-records-rti|Court case records RTI]]
+  * [[:pio-investigation-rti|Investigation RTI — PIO playbook]]
+  * [[:file-rti-online-india|File RTI online — 12 steps]]
+  * [[:faq|RTI — 25 questions answered]]
+===== Sources =====
+  * RTI Act, 2005 — full text.
+  * Citation chain in body.
+  * Citizen Charter of the relevant authority.
+  * Case-law database at [[:cases:search|/cases/search]].
+//Last reviewed: 23 April 2026.// {{tag>rti criminal-procedure charge-sheet 173-crpc tier-1 2026}}

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