LawRato

Section 18 and Section 19 of RTI Act 2005.


08-Jul-2026 (In Civil Law)
I had registered RTI Application in the online portal. The PIO has given wrong information. Can I simultaneously register a complaint against the PIO under Section 18 of RTI Act and also file appeal against the decision of PIO under Section 19 of RTI Act.
Answers (4)

Answer #1
774 votes
Section 18 – Complaint A person may file a complaint before the Central or State Information Commission if: No Public Information Officer (PIO) has been appointed. The PIO refuses to accept the RTI application. Information is wrongly denied. No reply is received within the prescribed time. Unreasonable fees are demanded. False, misleading, or incomplete information is provided. The Information Commission has the power to inquire into the complaint and take appropriate action, including imposing penalties where justified. � Central Information Commission +1 Section 19 – Appeal First Appeal (Section 19(1)): If the applicant is dissatisfied with the PIO's decision or receives no reply within the prescribed time, they may file a first appeal before the First Appellate Authority within 30 days. Second Appeal (Section 19(3)): If still dissatisfied with the first appeal decision, the applicant may file a second appeal before the Central Information Commission (CIC) or State Information Commission (SIC) within 90 days.
Helpful? LawRato LawRato
Advocate Mahrukh Khan

Adv. Mahrukh Khan

LawRato Mumbai | 200+ Answers
Chat with Advocate Mahrukh Khan Chat 
Answer #2
615 votes
Yes, you can file an appeal as well as a complaint if the PIO has given incorrect information. Please share a copy of your RTI application, the PIO's reply, and any supporting documents. After reviewing them, I will guide you on the best legal remedy and help you proceed further.
Helpful? LawRato LawRato
Advocate Tejal Mishra

Adv. Tejal Mishra

LawRatoVasaiVirar | 5+ Answers
Chat with Advocate Tejal Mishra Chat 
Answer #3
999 votes
You may file a First Appeal under Section 19 of the RTI Act against the PIO's reply. A complaint under Section 18 is maintainable only in the circumstances specified therein and is not always the appropriate remedy for an incorrect reply. If you establish that the PIO has 'knowingly' furnished false, misleading or incorrect information, you may also request the Information Commission to initiate penalty proceedings under Section 20. The Commission, and not the applicant, decides whether to impose such penalty. Please reach out if you need assistance in drafting the appeal or complaint, or for evaluation of the appropriate remedy based on your documents.
Helpful? LawRato LawRato
Advocate Siddhesh Bhosle

Adv. Siddhesh Bhosle

LawRatoMumbai | 25+ Answers
Chat with Advocate Siddhesh Bhosle Chat 
Answer #4
917 votes
You have to register a complaint against the PIO before the state or central information commission as the case may be under section 20 and yes you can appeal against the decision of the PIO UNDER Section 19
Helpful? LawRato LawRato
Advocate Smith John Colaco

Adv. Smith John Colaco

LawRatoPalghar | 5+ Answers
Chat with Advocate Smith John Colaco Chat 

Disclaimer: The above query and its response is NOT a legal opinion in any way whatsoever as this is based on the information shared by the person posting the query at lawrato.com and has been responded by one of the Divorce Lawyers at lawrato.com to address the specific facts and details.

Report abuse?

Connect with top Civil lawyers for your specific legal issue
Connect with a Lawyer
Comments by Users

No Comments! Be the first one to comment.

"lawrato.com has handpicked some of the best Legal Experts in the country to help you get practical Legal Advice & help."

All Answers

Googling your legal issue online?

The internet is not a lawyer and neither are you.
Talk to a real lawyer about your legal issue.

LawRato