The Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR), a non-profit, plans to file a petition against six national political parties for non-compliance and contempt of the Central Information Commission’s (CIC) order dated June 3, 2013.

The six parties are the Congress, BJP, BSP, NCP, CPI and CPI(M).

In its order, the CIC had declared these parties as public authorities coming under the ambit of the RTI Act. But, in its March 16, 2015 order, the CIC observed that the RTI Act does not provide it with ample powers to deal with contempt and non-compliance.

The ADR said that despite the CIC itself not taking any action against these political parties, the Right to Information (RTI) Act has sufficient provisions to deal with cases of non-compliance and contempt of the CIC’s orders.

Terming the CIC’s latest observation as abrogation of its own power and authority, the ADR said the CIC is only a quasi-judicial body and should not go into the technicalities of law.

Justifying its decision to move the courts, ADR said the preamble of the RTI Act as well Sections 18, 19 and 20 allow the CIC to take action on non-compliance via fines and compensation.

Responding to a complaint filed by ADR along with RTI activist Subhash Chandra Aggarwal, the CIC had suggested on March 16 that the complainants “are at liberty, in view of the facts and circumstances of this case, to approach the higher courts for appropriate relief and redressal.”

Related Topics