RTI penalty requires a categorical finding of deliberate and mala fide information withholding.

The petitioner, a Public Information Officer, challenged the order dated 16 February 2024 passed by the Chhattisgarh State Information Commission in Second Appeal Case No. A/565/2021/Raigarh.

By that order, the Commission imposed a penalty of ₹25,000 on the petitioner under Section 20(1) of the Right to Information Act, 2005, allegedly for failing to provide the information sought by Respondent No. 4 within the prescribed period.

The petitioner contended that any delay was neither deliberate nor mala fide.