Title:
Enable Mandatory Online Hearing Facility in Central Information Commission (CIC) for RTI Appeals

 
Petition to:
The Chief Information Commissioner, Central Information Commission (CIC), Government of India

 
PETITION STATEMENT:
We, the undersigned citizens of India, respectfully submit that the current hearing system followed by the Central Information Commission (CIC) poses significant practical difficulties for appellants, thereby affecting access to justice under the Right to Information Act, 2005.

In a large number of cases, appellants are required to be physically present for hearings in New Delhi or other designated locations. However, this requirement fails to take into account the ground realities faced by citizens across the country.

 
GROUNDS
1   Practical Difficulty in Attending Hearings
Many appellants reside outside the territorial limits of the Commission. They are employed, engaged in daily livelihood activities, or have personal constraints which make it extremely difficult to travel long distances for a single hearing.

2    Financial and Time Constraints
Attending a hearing often involves:

• Travel expenses
• Loss of wages or leave from employment
• Time spent in transit
• This effectively discourages citizens from pursuing their appeals
  Result: Appeals Decided Without Appellant Participation

Due to these constraints, a majority of cases are decided in the absence of the appellant, often with observations such as: “The Appellant did not participate in the hearing.”

This results in appeals being disposed of without proper contest, adversely affecting the rights of citizens.

3  Violation of Principles of Natural Justice
When appellants are unable to participate due to systemic limitations, it leads to:

·         Denial of fair opportunity to be heard

·         One-sided consideration of submissions

·         Mechanical disposal of appeals

This undermines the principle of audi alteram partem (hear the other side).

4          Impact on Article 21 of the Constitution of India

Access to justice is an integral part of the right to life and personal liberty under Article 21. A procedure that effectively prevents participation due to logistical barriers cannot be considered fair, just, or reasonable.

5          Availability of Technology and Precedents
Various judicial and quasi-judicial bodies in India, including:

·         High Courts

·         District Courts

·         Consumer Commissions

·         Central Administrative Tribunal
have successfully adopted online and hybrid hearing systems, enabling wider access and efficiency.
 

OUR DEMAND
In light of the above, we respectfully demand that the Central Information Commission:

1        Introduce Mandatory Online Hearing Option

2        Provide appellants with the option to attend hearings via video conferencing (VC) or other online platforms.

3        Ensure Equal Consideration of Written Submissions
Written submissions filed by appellants should be mandatorily placed on record and considered, even in absence of physical or virtual appearance.

4        Adopt Hybrid Hearing System
Allow both physical and virtual modes, enabling appellants to choose based on convenience.

5        Issue Clear Guidelines
Publish transparent procedures for:

·         Filing written submissions

·         Attending hearings online

·         Recording participation

·         Prevent Mechanical Disposal of Appeals
Appeals should not be dismissed solely on the ground of non-appearance when written submissions are already on record.

CONCLUSION:
The Right to Information Act was enacted to empower citizens and promote transparency. However, procedural barriers such as mandatory physical hearings undermine its very purpose.

We urge the Central Information Commission to adopt a more inclusive, accessible, and technologically enabled system of hearings to ensure that justice is not denied due to distance, employment constraints, or financial limitations.

 Call to Action
We request all citizens, RTI activists, and stakeholders to support this petition and demand a fair, accessible, and modern hearing system in the Central Information Commission.

 
Sincerely,
Concerned Citizens of India