A.P. Information Commission bars appellant for repeated RTI requests

The Andhra Pradesh Information Commission on Monday (October 5, 2026) issued an order prohibiting one Yadala Bhadraiah of Velpuru village in Atchampeta, Palnadu district, from filing repetitive applications, appeals, and complaints under the Right to Information Act, 2005. The commission stated that his repeated use of the mechanism has resulted in avoidable diversion of public resources.

Chief Information Commissioner Vajja Srinivasa Rao issued the order on September 28, 2026, while disposing of a batch of 164 cases involving Mr. Bhadraiah and various Public Information Officers and First Appellate Authorities. The Commission said Mr. Bhadraiah had filed more than 1,000 RTI applications and over 300 second appeals, with several matters pending before it. It heard more than 164 cases within a month.

The Commission said that information had already been furnished in several cases, but Mr. Bhadraiah repeatedly sought multiple dates for inspection without identifying specific deficiencies, inaccuracies or incomplete information. It said inspection could not be denied where a genuine requirement existed, but repeated requests without a specific grievance could not become a routine requirement.

The order also referred to a PhonePe transaction screenshot indicating an apparent transfer of ₹10,000 from the then Deputy MPDO, Singarayakonda, to Mr. Bhadraiah on January 6, 2025. The Commission directed the Commissioner and Director of Panchayat Raj and Rural Development to examine the transaction, its purpose and circumstances, and take action according to law if necessary.

The Commission further directed the District Collector to verify Mr. Bhadraiah’s eligibility for a white ration card in view of statements regarding properties held by him and his family.

Concluding that the repeated proceedings amounted to abuse of the statutory process and public resources, the Commission prohibited further repetitive proceedings on matters already furnished, considered or disposed of, while preserving his right to seek genuinely distinct information and pursue statutory remedies.