Rohidas Kamath 08 July 2026

Section 18 and section 19 of rti act

I had filed RTI Application. The PIO disposed of my RTI application by providing irreleavant information. Iam planning to file appeal to first appellate authority under Section 19 of RTI Act. Siultaneously Iam planning to file complaint under Section 18 of RTI Act 2005 for giving me wrong information. I would like to know whether my actions of filing complaint and filing appeal is sustatinable in law. request to share valuable opinion.

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Quick Summary

This discussion clarifies the use of Sections 18 and 19 of the RTI Act. It confirms that you can file both a complaint under Section 18 and an appeal under Section 19 simultaneously. The Supreme Court has established that these sections offer distinct remedies and procedures and are not mutually exclusive. However, it's crucial to maintain a clear distinction when filing and specifying the relief sought in each.

3 Replies

P. Venu (Advocate) 08 July 2026

Yes you can submit complaint as well file appeal.

T. Kalaiselvan, Advocate (Advocate) 09 July 2026

The Supreme Court of India settled this legal position in the landmark judgment Chief Information Commissioner v. State of Manipur (2011). The Court clearly held that Section 18 and Section 19 serve two entirely different purposes, lay down different procedures, and provide distinct remedies. Therefore, they are independent remedies, and one cannot act as a substitute for the other.

However, to ensure your legal strategy does not hit a technical roadblock, you must maintain a clear distinction between how and where you file them, as well as the reliefs you claim.