Odisha Information Commission Orders Probe Into Alleged RTI Misuse for Extortion

ପାଣିପାଗ

ପଶ୍ଚିମ ଓଡ଼ିଶାରେ ୪୫ ଡିଗ୍ରୀ ଛୁଇଁଲା ତାପମାତ୍ରା; ସୁବର୍ଣ୍ଣପୁରରେ ଅସହ୍ୟ...

May 25, 2026

ଆହୁରି ବଢ଼ିବ ଓଡ଼ିଶାର ଗ୍ରୀଷ୍ମ ପ୍ରକୋପ; କେତେକ ଜିଲ୍ଲାକୁ ରେଡ୍‌...

May 25, 2026

ଆଗାମୀ ସପ୍ତାହରେ ଓଡ଼ିଶାରେ ଗରମ ସହ କାଳବୈଶାଖୀ ପ୍ରଭାବ, ତାପପ୍ରବାହ...

May 25, 2026

ମେ’ ୧୧ ପାଖାପାଖି ବଙ୍ଗୋପସାଗରରେ ନୂଆ ଲଘୁଚାପ ସମ୍ଭାବନା, ପାଣିପାଗ...

May 09, 2026

ଖେଳ

କେକେଆର୍‌ ବିଦାୟ ପରେ ମଧ୍ୟ ଅଧିନାୟକତ୍ୱରେ ଅଟଳ ରହାଣେ; କହିଲେ-...

May 25, 2026

ବୈଭବ ସୂର୍ୟବଂଶୀଙ୍କ ଦମଦାର ପ୍ରଦର୍ଶନରେ ଚାପରେ ଯଶସ୍ୱୀ ଜୈସ୍ୱାଲ? ଅଶ୍ୱିନଙ୍କ...

May 25, 2026

ବିରାଟ-ଟ୍ରାଭିସ୍‌ ମୁହାଁମୁହିଁ ପରେ ଟ୍ରାଭିସ୍‌ ହେଡଙ୍କ ସ୍ତ୍ରୀଙ୍କୁ ଅନଲାଇନ୍‌ ଧମକ;...

May 25, 2026

ଆଇପିଏଲ୍‌ କିତାବ ପାଇଁ ଏସଆରଏଚ୍‌କୁ ସମର୍ଥନ କଲେ ଅକ୍ଷର ପଟେଲ୍‌;...

May 25, 2026

Odisha Information Commission Orders Probe Into Alleged RTI Misuse for Extortion

The Odisha Information Commission has directed police to investigate allegations of repeated misuse of the RTI Act by an individual accused of filing numerous applications to extort money from Public Information Officers (PIOs). The Commission has called for scrutiny of video and documentary evidence to determine the scale of wrongdoing.

Published by Dibyajyoti | January 07, 2026

In a significant move aimed at curbing the misuse of the Right to Information mechanism, the Odisha Information Commission has ordered a police investigation into allegations of systematic extortion linked to RTI applications. The case involves an individual identified as Tankadhar Sahoo from Bolangir district, who reportedly filed hundreds of RTI petitions targeting various government departments.

According to information available with the Commission, Sahoo allegedly demanded bribes from Public Information Officers (PIOs) and First Appellate Authorities in exchange for withdrawing or delaying RTI-related complaints. Many of these applications are currently at different stages of hearing before the Commission.

Reports indicate that Sahoo had been residing in Bhubaneswar and would allegedly solicit illegal gratification from officials appearing for case hearings. After receiving bribes, he would purportedly request adjournments or withdraw complaints entirely, manipulating the RTI process for personal gain.

Taking strong cognizance of the allegations, the Commission has instructed a detailed investigation, directing authorities to examine available video footage and other documentary evidence to verify the claims and assess the full extent of misconduct.

The development has sparked concern over the exploitation of a law originally intended to promote transparency and accountability within public administration. Authorities have emphasized the need to safeguard the integrity of the RTI framework and prevent its abuse for corrupt practices.