Can a PIO engage a counsel for his case to reply and contest commission level?

[advocate rajesh]

It is seen that in some case the PIO engage counsel for replying a RTI application and further contesting the same at Commissioner level , is it allowed under RTI.

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[ambrish.p]

Sponsorer

Dear Rajesh Ji

This is turning into practice as they (PIO s) are hiring counsel for representing them in SIC.
Rules speak about the representative of appellant/complainant but couldnt find any such provision for PIO. Please see: http://www.iari.res.in/files/rti-pdf/appeal-rule.pdf

PIO engage counsel for replying a RTI application

This is also increasing day by day they directly send the application to counsel and s/he prepares the reply and they (PIO) just sign and forward the same.

regards

[ganpat1956]

Rajesh ji, by any chance, have you been retained by any PIO for a similar purpose?

[advocate rajesh]

Ganpat ji ,though I have not been retained but I have come across the situation where I find PIO taking sevices of the advocate. Now the question is If they are allowed to engage the counsel who will bear the expanses. The dept., the panchyat ,the society or the PIO himself.

ambrish Ji, u are very right same such things are happening these days.

[ambrish.p]

If they are allowed to engage the counsel who will bear the expanses. The dept., the panchyat ,the society

As per my knowledge no PA hires counsel officially to reply RTI applications but hired counsel (for other jobs) does the work. Ultimately PA bears the same indirectly.

regards