Kochi Corporation's RTI Crackdown Sparks Legal Backlash

The Kochi Corporation has introduced measures to restrict serial RTI applicants, labeling them as 'abusers', triggering immediate backlash from legal experts and transparency advocates. The move, announced this week, aims to curb what the corporation calls misuse of the Right to Information Act, but critics argue it undermines the very essence of the legislation.

Supreme Court lawyer Kaleeswaram Raj condemned the decision, stating that the RTI Act does not prescribe any ceiling on the number of applications that can be filed. 'The move goes against the spirit of the RTI Act,' Raj said, emphasizing that the law was designed to empower citizens, not to limit their queries. The corporation, however, claims that a small group of individuals has been flooding the system with repetitive and frivolous requests, straining administrative resources.

The controversy highlights a growing tension between government bodies seeking to streamline operations and citizens' right to hold them accountable. If other municipalities follow suit, it could set a worrying precedent for transparency in India. The next steps may involve legal challenges or a review of the policy by the state information commission, as stakeholders await further developments.