Filing CIC Second Appeal — Advisory & Representation Guide for RTI Lawyers (Legal Light Consulting)

For RTI Lawyers working under Legal Light Consulting, CIC Second Appeals form the backbone of central-level RTI litigation support. When an applicant fails to receive rightful information despite filing the First Appeal, the Central Information Commission (CIC) becomes the final statutory forum to enforce transparency and accountability under Section 19(3) of the RTI Act, 2005.

This article explains the time limits, best practices, and the legal consulting value lawyers deliver—along with ready-to-use FAQs for client education.

Is There a Time Limit for Filing a CIC Appeal?

The RTI Act, 2005 does not prescribe a strict limitation period for filing a Second Appeal before the CIC. This gives applicants flexibility, but it also increases the responsibility of lawyers to advise them correctly.

A CIC appeal becomes maintainable when:

• The applicant has received a final order from the First Appellate Authority (FAA) but finds it unsatisfactory, or

• 45 days have passed since filing the First Appeal and the FAA has not issued any order.

Even without a statutory deadline, lawyers consistently advise that:

Best Practice for Filing

• CIC appeals should be filed without unreasonable delay, and

• Ideally within 90 days from the FAA order or lapse of 45-day period, to show due diligence and seriousness.

Caution

Excessive delay without justified cause may:

• Weaken the perception of urgency,

• Raise doubts about diligence, and

• Undermine penalty or compliance arguments.

Therefore, filing within a reasonable period (≈90 days) is the most legally defensible approach for applicants.

Role of RTI Lawyers in Legal Light Consulting

Legal Light Consulting supports applicants through a full-cycle legal engagement, where RTI lawyers perform the following:

Pre-Filing Services

• Case evaluation & merit assessment

• Legal review of FAA/CPIO orders

• Strategic identification of grounds of appeal

• Drafting the appeal in the prescribed CIC format

• Compilation of documents and creation of a chronological case narrative

Filing Support

• Online & offline filing assistance

• Ensuring the appeal is defect-free

• Compliance with procedural mandates

• Proper tagging and uploading of:

  • RTI application copy

  • Submission proof

  • CPIO reply (if any)

  • First Appeal copy

  • FAA order or 45-day lapse proof

  • Authorization (if representative appears)

Representation Services

• Appearing before the CIC as a duly authorised legal representative

• Presenting oral and written arguments

• Responding to Commission queries

• Filing additional written submissions

• Attending hearings physically or via VC if allowed

Post-Order Legal Support

• Compliance monitoring

• Ensuring implementation of CIC directions

• Follow-up submissions for non-compliance

• Legal advice on penalties under Section 20

• Guidance on further legal remedies including High Court review (if needed)

Legal Light Consulting lawyers are trained to treat every appeal as a future-proof legal record, capable of supporting court proceedings if required later.

FAQ Section for Client Education

1. What is the time limit for filing a CIC Second Appeal?

There is no strict time limit prescribed under the RTI Act, 2005 for filing a Second Appeal before CIC.
However, it is strongly recommended to file:

• Soon after receiving an unsatisfactory FAA order, or

• After 45 days pass without receiving any FAA order.

Ideal filing window: within 90 days (reasonable time) to demonstrate diligence.
Excessive delay may weaken the case.

2. What happens if the FAA does not pass an order within 45 days?

The applicant is deemed to have exhausted all available remedies, and can file a CIC Second Appeal citing administrative silence and delay as grounds for maintainability.

3. Can Legal Light Consulting assist with filing CIC appeals?

Yes. Legal Light Consulting provides:

Pre-Filing Support

• Case evaluation

• Merit assessment

• Strategic advice

• Appeal drafting

• Document organization

Filing Assistance

• Online & offline filing

• Procedural compliance

• Complete documentation submission

Representation

• Appearing before CIC

• Presenting arguments

• Hearing attendance

• Responding to queries

Post-Order Support

• Compliance tracking

• Implementation assistance

• Legal remedies if needed

4. Can an RTI lawyer sign the CIC appeal on behalf of the applicant?

No. The verification must be signed by the appellant.
But the lawyer can:

• Assist in drafting and filing, and

• Appear as an authorised representative with a signed authorization letter attached.

5. What documents are required for a CIC appeal online?

Mandatory Documents

✔ Original RTI Application copy
✔ Proof of RTI submission
✔ CPIO reply copy (if any)
✔ First Appeal copy filed to FAA
✔ FAA order or 45-day lapse proof

Supporting Documents

✔ Correspondence with Public Authority
✔ Fee payment receipts
✔ Identity proof of appellant
✔ Authorization letter (if represented by lawyer)
✔ Documents supporting grounds of appeal

A complete document set helps CIC understand the full case history and strengthens arguments.

6. What kind of relief can be sought before the CIC?

An RTI lawyer can draft prayers such as:

• Direction to disclose full information

• Allow inspection of records

• Supply certified copies

• Provide information free of cost (if delay proven)

• Initiate penalty proceedings under Section 20 for wilful denial or delay

Conclusion

CIC Second Appeals are not bound by strict limitation, but timely filing demonstrates diligence, strengthens legal credibility, and reinforces penalty arguments. RTI lawyers under Legal Light Consulting ensure that appeals are structured, documented, and argued with procedural mastery to protect the applicant’s right to information and enforce compliance effectively.