Table of Contents
Section 17 — Removal of State Chief Information Commissioner or State Information Commissioner
In one line: Section 17 is the SIC equivalent of Section 14 — removal only by the Governor after a reference to the Supreme Court proving misbehaviour or incapacity. Same high threshold.
Key points
- Grounds: proved misbehaviour or incapacity.
- Procedure mirrors Section 14 but ends with the Governor, not the President.
- Some States have attempted political removals; none has succeeded under Section 17 since enactment.
Legislative history
No amendments.
Rulings and references
- No substantive jurisprudence — the protection is strong.
Practical note
As with Section 14, citizens cannot invoke Section 17 directly. Structural safeguard.
Call to action
For drafting RTIs or appeals engaging this section, use the First RTI template or the First Appeal template. See How to fill an RTI application for structural help.
Related
Sources
- Right to Information Act, 2005, Section 17.
- RTI (Amendment) Act, 2019 (where applicable).
- DPDP Rules, 2025, notified 14 November 2025 (where applicable).
- Department of Personnel and Training, Guide on the RTI Act, 2005.
Last reviewed on: 21 April 2026