In Brief
A citizen challenged the functioning of State Information Commissions (SICs) under the Right to Information Act, 2005, arguing that their physical-only hearings imposed prohibitive costs on applicants and appellants, especially in remote areas, thereby restricting access to the right to information. The Supreme Court held that access to Information Commissions is integral to securing the constitutional right to information, linked to Articles 14, 19(1)(a), and 21. The Court directed all SICs to provide hybrid (virtual and physical) hearings at the applicant's discretion, enable e-filing of complaints and appeals, and establish user-friendly digital infrastructure. The Court emphasized that technology is no longer optional in ensuring effective access to justice and that it is a constitutional duty of the state to adopt these measures.
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