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

Quick answer: Court records split into two: judicial (case file, orders) follow CPC + court counter; administrative (vacancy, listing logic, infrastructure, judges' assets, certified-copy delays) are disclosable via RTI to the Court PIO. This page is the working template for the administrative side.

When to use this RTI

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

Where to file

  • 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

Template (copy + adapt)

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]

Common pitfalls + how to handle

  • 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.

After filing

  • 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.

Use the AI RTI Drafter to auto-fill

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

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rti-for-court-case-delay.txt · Last modified: by 127.0.0.1

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