Is there any relaxation in the time limit for furnishing reply of RTI request due to lockdown?
1 Apr, 2020Is there any relaxation in the time limit for furnishing reply of RTI request as the country is under lock down?
Kindly advice.
Sowmya Praveen
<sukusowmya52@gmail.com>
Dear Ms Praveen and many other PIO/ FAA,
No explicit instructions appear to have been issued till date.
However, a bench of Chief Justice S A Bobde and Justices L N Rao and Surya Kant has taken suo motu cognizance of the situation arising out of the challenge faced by the country because of Covid-19 virus. The Supreme Court said that to obviate difficulties due to Coronavirus, "it is hereby ordered that a period of limitation in all such proceedings, irrespective of the limitation prescribed under the general law or Special Laws whether condonable or not shall stand extended w.e.f. 15th March 2020 till further order/s to be passed by this Court in present proceedings". These instructions were issued exercising the power under Article 142 read with Article 141 of the Constitution of India and this order is a binding order within the meaning of Article 141 on all Courts/Tribunals and authorities.
Further, the law does not expect anyone to do the impossible. Hence, it would be safe to assume that a reasonable delay (which the PIO should explain in his order) can be condoned.
EDITOR