Two Law Students file PIL regarding RTI Portal in online mode for apex court

Legal students went to the top Court of India seeking an Online RTI Portal for the Supreme Court, for e-filing of RTI Applications and First Appeals. The PIL has been filed seeking directions to the respondents including the Supreme Court through its Secretary-General, Supreme Court's E-committee and the National Informatics Centre to set up an online RTI Portal in a time-bound manner. Two petitioners, Akriti Agarwal and Lakshya Purohit, strongly mentioned that Supreme Court's E- Committee has already provided an efficient mechanism for e-filing of petitions but lacks the same when it comes to e-filing of RTI applications. Advocate Neha Rathi arguing for the petitioner’s side argued that the Pinnacle Court of India, comes under the institute of "public authority" under Section 2(h) of the Right to Information Act 2005, has not created such a portal since the enactment of the RTI Act. The plea has shown that the Union of India has already been running its Online RTI Portal (www.rtionline.gov.in) successfully which covers all central ministries and departments giving the people a smooth and speedy access to information. On the side of the petitioners they have already written to the concerned authorities of the Apex Court to create such a portal, but no action has been taken till date, thereby causing delay and denying access to speedy information and justice. The petitioners have also pointed out that the Chief Justice of India NV Ramana had also emphasised on courts being litigant friendly while addressing a gathering at the event organised by Karnataka State Bar Council to pay tribute to late Justice Shantanagoudar. The petition has cited the Supreme Court's order in the case of Pravasi Legal Cell v Union of India & Ors. saying that the Court has recognised the legal mandate of Online RTI Portal for State Governments and also issued notice dated 26.08.2019.