The State Information Commission has decided to seek an explanation from the Kochi Corporation over the reported move by the civic body to hand over the details of those who file an “excessive number” of applications under the Right to Information (RTI) Act to the State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the Commission held in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday.

The meeting, chaired by Chief Information Commissioner Hari Nair, noted that the reported move amounted to curtailing the constitutional rights to freedom of speech and expression guaranteed to citizens under Article 19(1)(a). No agency could impose any strictures or act contrary to the provisions of the Act passed by Parliament. The reported move to pass on the details of those who file an “excessive number” of applications to the Vigilance for a probe into their financial details would serve as a deterrent to those seeking information from the authority, as envisaged under the Act, the meeting noted.

Incidentally, the civic body had last week decided to hand over the details of those who repeatedly filed applications under the Act to the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau for a probe into their financial backgrounds, following reported complaints that several applicants were misusing the provisions of the Act.

The Hindu had earlier reported that the Commission might seek an explanation from the local body in this regard.

The Commission will write to the secretary of the Kochi Corporation seeking an explanation on the reported move, which was reported in the media. The Commission has also sought to know whether a resolution was passed by the local body in this regard. The secretary has been asked to provide a copy of the resolution, if any, passed by the civic body, Commission sources said.

The Commission will decide on the contentious issue after receiving the local body’s response, sources said.