RTI for Chhattisgarh Lokayukta – Corruption Complaints & Investigation Status

Corruption by public servants — demanding bribes, misusing official positions, misappropriating public funds, showing favouritism in contracts and promotions — is a reality that millions of citizens in Chhattisgarh encounter. The Chhattisgarh Lokayukta is the state's independent constitutional anti-corruption ombudsman, empowered to receive complaints against government officers, conduct inquiries, and recommend disciplinary or criminal action. When a complaint is filed but the complainant receives no acknowledgement, no inquiry notice, and no update for months, the Right to Information Act, 2005 becomes a critical accountability tool. For just ₹10, RTI allows every citizen to track a corruption complaint, find out whether an inquiry has been initiated, learn the name of the inquiry officer, and obtain copies of orders or communications issued — putting pressure on the Lokayukta office to act and creating a documented record. This guide explains what the Chhattisgarh Lokayukta does, what information RTI can compel it to disclose, what is exempt, how to file an RTI application, and how to appeal if the response is inadequate.

What is the Chhattisgarh Lokayukta?

The Chhattisgarh Lokayukta is an independent statutory authority established under the Chhattisgarh Lokayukta Adhiniyam, 2002 (Chhattisgarh Lokayukta Act, 2002). It is headed by the Lokayukta, a retired judge of the High Court or Supreme Court, appointed by the Governor on the recommendation of a committee. The institution is modelled on the office of the Ombudsman — an independent authority outside the executive chain, which can receive, investigate, and adjudicate complaints against public servants without being subject to governmental interference.

Jurisdiction: Who Does the Lokayukta Cover?

The Chhattisgarh Lokayukta Act defines the categories of "public servants" against whom complaints can be filed. These typically include:

• Ministers — Chief Minister, Cabinet Ministers, and Ministers of State of the Chhattisgarh government
• Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) — in respect of their conduct in official capacity
• Class I and Class II Officers — gazetted officers of the Chhattisgarh state government across departments
• Heads of Corporations, Boards, and Local Bodies — public sector undertakings, municipal corporations, improvement trusts, and other government-owned entities under the state government
• Judges of the High Court are specifically excluded from Lokayukta jurisdiction

The Lokayukta does not cover Central Government employees, Central Police Organisations (CRPF, BSF, etc.), or Central PSUs — complaints against those must go to the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) or the Lokpal of India.

What the Lokayukta Does

On receiving a complaint, the Lokayukta's office follows a defined process:

1. Registration: The complaint is registered and assigned a complaint number.
2. Preliminary Scrutiny: The Lokayukta examines whether the complaint is maintainable — whether it falls within jurisdiction, is not time-barred, and is accompanied by a declaration from the complainant.
3. Calling for Report: The Lokayukta may call for a report from the head of the department or organisation concerned.
4. Inquiry: If a prima facie case is established, the Lokayukta initiates a formal inquiry. The inquiry may be conducted by the Lokayukta's own investigating wing or delegated to an inquiry officer.
5. Recommendation: After the inquiry, the Lokayukta submits a report with recommendations to the competent authority (the Chief Minister or the relevant administrative head) for action — which may include disciplinary proceedings, prosecution, or administrative action.
6. Annual Report: The Lokayukta submits an annual report to the Governor, which is laid before the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly. This report contains aggregate statistics of complaints received, disposed, pending, and the nature of action recommended.

The Lokayukta's recommendations are advisory in nature — the Lokayukta cannot itself impose punishment, but the administrative authority is expected to act on the recommendations, and non-compliance must be explained.

What Information You Can Request via RTI

The Chhattisgarh Lokayukta is a public authority under Section 2(h) of the RTI Act, 2005. Its Public Information Officer (PIO) is obligated to provide information held in its records within 30 days of receiving an RTI application. The following categories of information are routinely available:

Complaint Registration and Status

• Whether your complaint has been registered and the complaint number assigned
• The date on which the complaint was registered
• The current stage of processing — preliminary scrutiny, report called for, inquiry initiated, or disposed
• The date on which any report was called for from the concerned department
• Whether the complaint has been transferred to another authority and if so, to which authority and on what date

Inquiry and Investigation Details

• Whether a formal inquiry has been initiated on your complaint
• The name and designation of the inquiry officer assigned (if inquiry has been initiated and the information is not exempt under Section 8)
• The date of initiation of the inquiry
• Whether any notices have been issued to the accused public servant
• Whether the inquiry has been completed, and if so, the date of completion

Action-Taken Report

• A copy of any order, direction, or recommendation issued by the Lokayukta in relation to your complaint
• Whether the Lokayukta has submitted a report to the competent authority
• Whether the competent authority has been asked to report on action taken on the Lokayukta's recommendation

Statistical and Aggregate Information

• Total number of complaints received by the Chhattisgarh Lokayukta during a specific year
• Total number of complaints disposed of during that year — with a breakup by mode of disposal (dismissed at preliminary stage, inquiry completed, recommendation made, transferred, withdrawn, etc.)
• Total number of complaints pending as on a specific date
• Department-wise or officer-grade-wise breakup of complaints, where maintained in record

Lokayukta Annual Reports

• A copy of the Chhattisgarh Lokayukta Annual Report for a specific year
• The annual report typically contains a summary of the year's work, statistical tables, notable cases (in anonymised or public form), and observations by the Lokayukta on systemic issues

Procedural and Administrative Information

• The prescribed procedure for filing a complaint with the Chhattisgarh Lokayukta
• The format and documents required for filing a complaint
• Time limits for filing complaints under the Lokayukta Act
• Whether any fee is required to file a complaint with the Lokayukta (the Lokayukta receives complaints free of charge; the ₹10 fee is for RTI only)
• The address and contact details of the Lokayukta office, the registry, and the investigating wing

What Information May Be Exempt

The RTI Act, 2005 contains specific exemptions under Section 8, and some categories of Lokayukta information may fall within these exemptions. Citizens should be aware of these limits to draft their RTI applications strategically and avoid being entirely shut out by a broad Section 8 refusal.

Section 8(1)(h) — Prejudice to Investigation or Prosecution

The most commonly invoked exemption for Lokayukta information is Section 8(1)(h), which permits a PIO to withhold information that "would impede the process of investigation or apprehension or prosecution of offenders." A Lokayukta PIO may refuse to disclose:

• The specific evidence gathered during an ongoing inquiry
• The names of witnesses being examined in a live inquiry
• The detailed findings of an inquiry report before it has been finalised and submitted to the competent authority
• Specific allegations and admissions recorded during an inquiry, if disclosure would tip off the accused and allow destruction of evidence

However, Section 8(1)(h) applies only to ongoing, live inquiries. Once an inquiry is complete and the recommendation has been submitted to the competent authority, the exemption no longer applies with the same force. Citizens can request the completed inquiry report and the Lokayukta's recommendations after the inquiry is concluded.

Section 8(1)(j) — Personal Information

Information that relates to personal details of the accused public servant (medical records, family details, private correspondence unrelated to the official conduct) may be withheld under Section 8(1)(j). But official conduct — service record, actions taken in official capacity, and orders passed — is not personal information and cannot be withheld on this ground.

What Cannot Be Withheld

The following information cannot be withheld regardless of which section a PIO tries to invoke:

• Whether a complaint has been registered — the act of registration creates an official record and is not exempt
• The complaint number and the date of registration
• The current stage of processing (preliminary scrutiny / inquiry initiated / disposed) — this is procedural, not substantive
• Copies of any orders or directions issued by the Lokayukta that have already been communicated to the concerned department
• Aggregate and statistical data (number of complaints received, disposed, pending)
• The Lokayukta Annual Report — this is a document already submitted to the Legislature and laid before the Assembly; it cannot be withheld under any RTI exemption

If the PIO refuses to disclose the complaint status or registration details by citing Section 8(1)(h), that refusal is almost certainly unjustified and should be challenged in a First Appeal.

How to File RTI with the Chhattisgarh Lokayukta

Online Filing via rti.cg.gov.in

Chhattisgarh has its own state RTI filing portal at rti.cg.gov.in. This is the recommended method for most applicants. Note that the Central Government's rtionline.gov.in portal covers only Central Government public authorities — it cannot be used for state government bodies including the Chhattisgarh Lokayukta.

To file online:

1. Visit rti.cg.gov.in and register or log in with your credentials.
2. Select Chhattisgarh Lokayukta as the public authority. It may be listed under the General Administration or Law department category — search for "Lokayukta" in the authority list.
3. Fill in your personal details (name, address, phone, email) and the information sought. Be specific: quote your complaint number, the name and designation of the public servant against whom the complaint was filed, and the date of filing.
4. Pay the ₹10 application fee online via net banking, UPI, or debit card.
5. Download and preserve the acknowledgement slip with your registration number. The 30-day response clock runs from the date of receipt.

By Post

Address a written application to:

The Public Information Officer
Chhattisgarh Lokayukta
Raipur, Chhattisgarh

Send by registered post with acknowledgement due (RPAD). Enclose an Indian Postal Order (IPO) of ₹10 payable to the Public Information Officer, Chhattisgarh Lokayukta (or as specified by the Lokayukta's office — confirm the payee name before sending). Retain the postal receipt; the date of delivery shown on the AD card is the start of the 30-day response period. If the AD card is returned, file it carefully as evidence.

In Person

You may also deliver the application in person at the Lokayukta office in Raipur during working hours. Carry two copies — one to be filed and one for the office to stamp and return as your receipt. The stamped copy serves as your acknowledgement and starts the 30-day clock.

BPL Exemption

Applicants holding a Below Poverty Line (BPL) ration card are exempt from the ₹10 application fee under the RTI Act. Attach a photocopy of your BPL card with your application. The BPL exemption covers only the application fee — charges for copies of documents (₹2 per page for A4 photocopies) remain payable unless waived under the applicable rules.

Fee and Response Timeline

• Application fee: ₹10, payable by Indian Postal Order, demand draft, court fee stamp, or online payment at rti.cg.gov.in.
• Copy charges: ₹2 per A4 page for photocopies, as prescribed under the Chhattisgarh Right to Information (Fee and Cost) Rules.
• Response time: The PIO must provide the information or a speaking order of refusal within 30 days of receipt of the application under Section 7(1) of the RTI Act.
• Life and liberty matters: Where the information sought relates to the life or liberty of a person, the response is due within 48 hours under the Section 7(1) proviso.
• Transfer: If the PIO transfers your application to another authority under Section 6(3) (because the information is held elsewhere), the total response time must still remain within 30 days of the original receipt.

If the PIO fails to respond within 30 days or provides an inadequate or evasive response, the applicant has the right to appeal.

First Appeal — Section 19(1)

If the Lokayukta PIO:

• Does not respond within 30 days of receipt of your application
• Refuses to provide information without valid grounds
• Provides an incomplete, incorrect, or misleading response
• Charges excess fees

...you may file a First Appeal under Section 19(1) of the RTI Act with the First Appellate Authority (FAA) designated within the Chhattisgarh Lokayukta.

Timing: The First Appeal must be filed within 30 days of the date of decision or expiry of the 30-day response period, whichever is applicable. The FAA has discretion to condone delay if sufficient cause is shown.

Format: The First Appeal should state:

• Your name and address
• The date and registration number of your original RTI application
• A summary of the information sought
• The PIO's response (or lack of it) and why it is inadequate
• The specific relief sought (e.g., direction to provide information denied, reduction of excess copy charges, etc.)

No fee is required for the First Appeal. Send it by RPAD to the FAA at the Lokayukta office, or file it through the rti.cg.gov.in portal if the portal supports first appeals for Lokayukta.

The FAA must decide the First Appeal within 30 days of receipt, extendable to 45 days with written reasons recorded.

Second Appeal to the Chhattisgarh State Information Commission — Section 19(3)

If the First Appellate Authority does not respond, or if the First Appeal decision is unsatisfactory, the next step is a Second Appeal to the Chhattisgarh State Information Commission (CSIC), constituted under Section 15 of the RTI Act.

The CSIC is the correct appellate body for all Chhattisgarh state government public authorities, including the Lokayukta. The Central Information Commission (CIC) has no jurisdiction over Chhattisgarh state government bodies — filing a Second Appeal with the CIC for a Lokayukta matter will result in it being returned as non-maintainable.

Timing: File the Second Appeal within 90 days of the date of the First Appeal order, or of the expiry of the FAA's response deadline if no order was received.

What the CSIC can do:

• Direct the PIO to furnish the information within a specified time
• Impose a penalty on the PIO under Section 20 of the RTI Act
• Award compensation to the complainant in cases of loss caused by the PIO's failure to provide information
• Recommend disciplinary action against the PIO in cases of persistent non-compliance

The CSIC proceedings are quasi-judicial in nature. Both the appellant and the PIO are given an opportunity to be heard, either in person or through a representative.

Penalty Clause — Section 20

Section 20 of the RTI Act empowers the State Information Commissioner to impose a personal monetary penalty on the PIO for failure to comply with the provisions of the Act without reasonable cause. The penalty is:

• ₹250 per day for each day of default
• Subject to a maximum of ₹25,000 per case

The penalty is imposed on the PIO in their personal capacity — it is not paid by the government but deducted from the PIO's salary. The State Information Commissioner must give the PIO a reasonable opportunity to be heard before imposing the penalty.

Additionally, the CSIC may recommend disciplinary action against the PIO to the concerned department if the Commissioner finds that the PIO has persistently failed to comply with the Act. This makes Section 20 a significant deterrent — and citing it in your First Appeal or Second Appeal petition draws the PIO's attention to the personal financial consequences of non-compliance.

Practical Tips for Lokayukta RTI Applications

Always quote your complaint number: If you have a complaint number issued by the Lokayukta registry, include it prominently in your RTI application. Without a complaint number, the PIO has scope to claim that the record cannot be located — or to provide a generic response that does not address your specific complaint. If you did not receive an acknowledgement with a complaint number when you filed the complaint, ask for that acknowledgement explicitly as one of your RTI questions.

Ask for specific documents, not broad conclusions: RTI is a right to access information (documents, records, data) held by a public authority — it is not a right to demand legal opinions, advice, or the Lokayukta's judgment on the merits of your complaint. Frame your requests as: "Please provide a certified copy of the complaint registration acknowledgement," or "Please provide the status of the preliminary scrutiny of complaint No. XXX" — not "Please confirm that the accused officer is guilty."

Do not ask for ongoing inquiry evidence in live cases: If a formal inquiry is in progress, asking for witness statements or evidence gathered during the inquiry is likely to be refused under Section 8(1)(h). Instead, ask for procedural facts — when the inquiry was initiated, the name of the inquiry officer (unless that itself is claimed to be protected), and the expected timeline for completion. These are administrative facts, not investigation secrets.

Seek aggregate statistics for public interest: RTI is an excellent tool for holding the Lokayukta institution accountable beyond your individual complaint. Asking for statistics — total complaints received in a year, departmental breakup, disposal rate, number of cases where prosecution was recommended — creates a public accountability record. The Lokayukta annual report should contain most of these statistics, but if it has not been published or is not accessible, RTI is the route to compel disclosure.

File RTI about action-taken on recommendations: Even after the Lokayukta has made a recommendation, the responsible government department may not act on it. File RTI with that department asking: "Has the Lokayukta submitted a report or recommendation in relation to name/designation/case? If yes, what action has been taken and by what date?" This creates a record of inaction and can support a subsequent complaint to the CSIC or the High Court.

Use RTI to document delay: If your complaint has been pending with the Lokayukta for an unreasonably long period without any communication, RTI creates a formal record of the delay. The PIO's response — or failure to respond — is itself evidence that can be placed before the First Appellate Authority, the CSIC, or a Writ Court if you choose to escalate.

Coordinate RTI with your complaint follow-up: Filing RTI is not a substitute for following up with the Lokayukta registry or exercising your rights under the Lokayukta Act itself (such as filing a grievance about delay). Use RTI as a parallel track — the formal written demand it creates often prompts the registry to look up your file and provide an update even before the 30 days expire.

RTI Act Sections Quick Reference

The following provisions of the RTI Act are most relevant to Lokayukta RTI applications:

Section 2(h): Defines "public authority" — includes any authority or body established by or under a law made by the State Legislature. The Chhattisgarh Lokayukta, established under the Chhattisgarh Lokayukta Adhiniyam 2002, is squarely a public authority under this definition.

Section 6: Procedure for requesting information — a written request to the PIO with the prescribed fee. The applicant need not give any reason for seeking the information.

Section 7(1): The PIO must provide the information or a decision within 30 days of receipt of the application.

Section 7(1) Proviso: Where the information concerns the life or liberty of a person, the response is due within 48 hours.

Section 8(1)(h): Exemption for information that would impede the process of investigation or prosecution of offenders. Applies to ongoing live inquiries — not to completed cases or procedural/administrative facts.

Section 8(1)(j): Exemption for personal information with no public interest justification. Cannot be used to shield records of official conduct.

Section 19(1): First Appeal — must be filed within 30 days of the date of decision or expiry of the 30-day response period, whichever is applicable.

Section 19(3): Second Appeal to the Chhattisgarh State Information Commission (CSIC) — the state-level appellate body for all Chhattisgarh state government public authorities, constituted under Section 15 of the RTI Act.

Section 20: Penalty of ₹250 per day (maximum ₹25,000) on the PIO personally for failure to comply without reasonable cause, after a hearing.