Justice Sold !

State Information Commission, Odisha: Protecting Law-Breakers Instead of Enforcing the RTI Act?

On 5th May 2025, State Information Commissioner Sushanta Kumar Mohanty passed an order in Second Appeal Case No. 3/2025. The case exposed a serious breach of the Right to Information Act, yet no action was taken against the concerned Public Information Officer (PIO) or the First Appellate Authority. Surprisingly, the order seems to protect, rather than penalize, the violators.

The case involved Jogendra Sahu of Kakatpur Block, Puri District, who had filed an RTI application on 10th September 2024, seeking information from the PIO, Kakatpur Block. When no response was received, he filed a First Appeal on 28th October 2024. Unfortunately, the First Appellate Authority neither heard the appeal nor provided any information.

Frustrated, Jogendra approached the State Information Commission, Odisha, filing a Second Appeal on 30th December 2024. The case was heard by Commissioner Sushanta Kumar Mohanty on 5th May 2025.

However, a review of the proceedings (available on the Commission’s website) reveals multiple lapses:

The order does not even mention what information the appellant had requested—raising serious questions about the quality of proceedings.

No show cause notice was issued to the PIO despite clear non-compliance with the RTI Act.

No penalty or disciplinary action was recommended.

Shockingly, the Commissioner closed the case with a casual direction that the First Appeal be heard—after nearly 8 months of delay.


To date, no information has been provided, and no accountability has been fixed. Even the State Commission has not received the basic records it should have demanded during the appeal process.

This reflects a deep failure in Odisha's RTI enforcement mechanism. Instead of upholding transparency and citizens' rights, the State Information Commission appears to be shielding officials who break the law.

As per ground reports, PIOs and BDOs are reportedly celebrating the decision. Citizens are left wondering:

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