BENGALURU: The Karnataka Information Commission has imposed a penalty of Rs 75,000 on the Assistant Commissioner of Bengaluru North Sub-Division, S Kiran, for failing to furnish information under the Right to Information (RTI) Act in three separate cases and for repeatedly remaining absent during commission hearings.
The Commission has also recommended a departmental inquiry and disciplinary action against the officer.
State Information Commissioner Rudranna Harthikote of the Commission’s Fourth Bench imposed a fine of Rs 25,000 in each case, observing that the officer had consistently failed to provide information sought by applicants and neither appeared before the Commission nor deputed a representative during hearings.
In one case, B Anjanamurthy of Gollahalli village in Dasanapura Hobli had sought records from the SDO’s office on March 25, 2024. As no information was provided within the stipulated 30 days, he approached the Commission through a second appeal. The officer failed to attend the hearing, leading to the penalty.
In another case, J Rajendraraju of Kengeri sought information relating to Gavipuram Village in December 2024. The Commission directed the officer to lodge an FIR under the Karnataka Public Records Act, 2012 if the file was unavailable. However, the directions were not complied with. Apart from imposing a Rs 25,000 penalty, the Commission ordered Rs 5,000 compensation to the applicant.
In the third case, Chalapathi J of Whitefield sought land records pertaining to Pattandur Agrahara village in November 2024. The officer neither provided the information nor appeared before the Commission despite its directions.
The Commission directed to initiate disciplinary proceedings against the officer under the Karnataka Civil Services Rules and submit a compliance report. Separately, Commissioner Rudranna Hartikote has written to Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh seeking directions to ensure timely disposal of RTI applications across the Bengaluru district administration, stating that delay in providing information amounts to denial of justice.