The Patna High Court on April 16, 2026, took up a public interest litigation highlighting the growing backlog of RTI appeals in Bihar. The court, however, chose to defer the matter in view of ongoing proceedings before the Supreme Court of India on a related issue.
Background of the Case
The petition, filed by Praween Kumar, raised concerns over delays in disposing of applications and appeals under the Right to Information Act, 2005. It pointed to a significant pendency over 28,000 second appeals and complaints before the Bihar State Information Commission as of December 2024.
The petitioner sought multiple directions, including strict timelines for disposal of appeals, enforcement of penalties on officers for delays, and compensation for citizens allegedly affected by late responses. The plea also highlighted vacancies in the Information Commission as a contributing factor.
Counsel for the petitioner argued that delays defeat the purpose of the RTI law, which is meant to ensure timely access to information. Reference was made to statutory provisions governing requests and appeals, along with the need for accountability mechanisms.
On the other hand, senior counsel appearing for the State Information Commission referred to the Supreme Court’s judgment in Anjali Bhardwaj v. Union of India (2019). It was submitted that a related matter is currently under consideration before the apex court through a pending miscellaneous application.
The State informed the bench that out of four sanctioned posts of Information Commissioners, one remains vacant. However, steps have been initiated to fill the vacancy, with the selection process expected to conclude shortly.
The bench, comprising the Chief Justice and Justice Harish Kumar, noted the submissions made by both sides. It also took on record the developments before the Supreme Court, including directions to consider increasing the sanctioned strength of Information Commissioners in light of heavy pendency.
“The matter is presently under consideration before the Hon’ble Supreme Court,” the bench observed, indicating that parallel proceedings could affect the issues raised in the PIL.
Taking into account the ongoing proceedings before the Supreme Court, the High Court deferred further hearing of the case. It directed that the matter be listed on June 18, 2026, by which time both sides are expected to inform the court about the status of the proceedings pending before the apex court.
Case Details
Case Title: Praween Kumar vs The State of Bihar
Case Number: Civil Writ Jurisdiction Case No. 3089 of 2026
Judges:
- Hon’ble the Chief Justice Sangam Kumar Sahoo
- Hon’ble Mr. Justice Harish Kumar
Decision Date: 16 April 2026
