SC Directs All High Courts To Establish Online RTI Portals

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday asked all High Courts to establish online RTI portals.

A bench of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justices PS Narasimha and JB Pardiwala also asked registrar generals of High Courts to seek directions from their respective Chief Justices for the establishment of such portals for district judiciary.

“We direct all High Courts to establish online RTI portals within 3 months from today. High Courts can formulate adequate provisions to facilitate the supply of adequate information. Information is to be passed onto the secretary generals of High Courts for administrative directions from the Chief Justices (of High Courts). Same directions to be sought from Chief Justice for the district judiciary,” the Court directed.

During the hearing on Monday, the top court noted that 18 States had filed their replies. Further, the Court also noted that only very few High Court have online RTI portals.

“After a lapse of 17 years, some High Courts still await to operationalize the websites for this pupose. Delhi, Madhya Pradesh and Orissa High Courts have established website for RTI. Karnataka uses the State govt portal,” the Court said in its order.

It, therefore, directed all other High Courts to follow suit and establish their RTI portals.