“We direct all High Courts to establish online RTI portals within 3 months from today. High Courts can formulate adequate provisions to facilitate the supply of adequate information. Information is to be passed onto the secretary generals of High Courts for administrative directions from the Chief Justices (of High Courts). The same directions are to be sought from the Chief Justice for the district judiciary” A bench of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justices PS Narasimha and JB Pardiwala gave instructions. The Supreme Court has already established a portal.

The High courts of Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, and Orissa had set up online RTI portals already. The online procedure will be more feasible and convenient. The plea in question has been filed by NGO, Pravasi Legal Cell. As per the petition, the lack of online filing facilities for RTI applications causes many issues including NRIs having to file physically the applications for any information they required from governments. 

CJI DY Chandrachud remarked, “Section 6(1) of RTI, 2005 states that a person who desires to get information under the act shall do so via an application physically or through electronic means. This provision indicates that the RTI applicant has a statutory right to move the applications by electronic means. Though the RTI Act came in 2005, online web portals are still to be operationalised by some of the High Courts after 17 years. HCs of MP, Delhi, and Orissa have set up web portals. Such portals shall be set up in all High Courts within 3 months. We request the Registrar Generals to take administrative directions from the Chief Justices of High Courts. NIC shall provide all logistical and technical assistance. The petition is disposed off.”