AP Information Commission Bars RTI Activist Perumal Jayachandra Reddy, Orders Seizure of Records
The Andhra Pradesh Information Commission (APIC) has barred Tirupati-based RTI activist and advocate Perumal Jayachandra Reddy from filing any applications, appeals or complaints under the Right to Information Act, 2005. The Commission cited repeated misuse of the transparency law, vexatious litigation and serious allegations of financial exploitation of information seekers.
Chief Information Commissioner Vajja Srinivasa Rao delivered a 20-page common order on Friday, June 19, 2026, dismissing 39 second appeals and complaints filed by Mr. Jayachandra Reddy, who represented the Legal Aid Welfare Society (LAWS). The Commission held that the RTI Act confers the right to seek information only on individual citizens, not on legal entities such as societies or associations.
The order directed the District Collector of Tirupati to immediately seize records allegedly maintained by Mr. Jayachandra Reddy relating to complainants V. Lalitha Devi, B. Chandraiah and other members of the public, citing larger public interest. All pending RTI applications, first appeals and second appeals filed by Mr. Jayachandra Reddy stand closed. The Commission's registry must circulate the order to all government departments, district collectors, superintendents of police, public information officers and appellate authorities across Andhra Pradesh.
The Commission noted that Mr. Jayachandra Reddy filed RTI applications under the banner of the Legal Aid Welfare Society, represented by its president and advocate, making them legally untenable. Referring to Section 3 of the RTI Act, the Commission said only a "citizen" can seek information, while a society or any other juristic person cannot claim that status. The order cited several judgments of the Supreme Court, High Courts and the Central Information Commission to show the distinction between a legal person and a citizen.
The Commission further said the appellant repeatedly invoked the "life and liberty" provision under Section 7(1) of the RTI Act to seek information within 48 hours without demonstrating any imminent threat to life or personal liberty. Public authorities complained that Mr. Jayachandra Reddy filed numerous RTI applications seeking extensive records, often concerning personal grievances rather than matters of larger public interest. Officials alleged that he repeatedly submitted similar applications, appeals and complaints despite having already received responses.
The Commission described several applications as speculative, repetitive and aimed at pressuring public authorities. It also took exception to language in some appeals warning officials of penalties and disciplinary action for non-compliance, terming such statements as intimidating. The order referred to two complaints received against Mr. Jayachandra Reddy. In one case, a woman alleged that he collected Rs 1 crore for obtaining property-related records through RTI but failed to provide the documents or return the money. In another complaint, a man alleged similar misconduct.
📰 Source: The Hindu National