RTI Appeal Filed Against Tehsildar Kathua for Withholding Information on Encroached Water Bodies

   " DENIAL OF RTI INFORMATION REGARDING LAND MAFIA"

Jammu, 26/09/2025: An appeal under Right to Information Act has been filed against Tehsildar Kathua before the First Appellate Authority by RTI activist Raman Kumar Sharma for denial of information regarding encroachments on natural water bodies in Tehsil Kathua.

On 7th September 2025, Raman Sharma submitted an RTI application under registration  number KATHU/R/2025/60086/1 through the J&K government’s online portal seeking details of natural water bodies and encroachments in Tehsil Kathua .

The activist had specifically sought copies of records showing names of the natural water bodies, villages where they are situated, their dimensions, number of encroachments, names of illegal encroachers, and action taken against these mafias who have encroached these water bodies.

Instead of providing the information, the Tehsildar, Kathua, vide his office communication dated 20th September 2025, asked the activist to personally visit his office on 29th and 30th September to inspect the records.

In his First Appeal (under RTI Act) bearing number KATHU/A/2025/60030 dated 24/09/2025 before the Concerned Authority in the office of Deputy Commissioner, Kathua, the activist described this response of the Tehsildar Kathua as a violation of the RTI Act, which mandates  supply of information.

Sharma  argued that compelling inspection in place of providing copies amounts to constructive denial, especially when the applicant resides nearly 90 Km. away in Jammu. The activist also raised concerns about personal safety, pointing out that the matter relates to powerful land grabbers and mafias.

The appeal states that the RTI Act was enacted to ensure transparency and accountability, and various orders of the Supreme Court and High Courts call authorities not to create hurdles in providing information. 

 The appeal also requests that the Tehsildar Kathua and his staff handling RTI applications should undergo RTI training at J&K IMPA, Sidhra, Jammu to understand and sensitization about RTI Act .

The appellant has urged the First Appellate Authority to direct the Tehsildar  Kathua to furnish the complete information within a fixed timeframe.

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