Tamil Nadu man breaks up with college girlfriend, later files 97 RTI pleas asking if she is still single or dating another man; commissioner warns of medical treatment

A Tamil Nadu man filed 97 Right to Information (RTI) applications containing a total of 1,887 questions seeking details about his former college girlfriend, including whether she was alive, whether she had married, where she lived and worked, and how many men she had been in relationships with. He also sought her photograph and CCTV camera footage from specific dates, according to a TOI report by Venkadesan S.

Tamil Nadu Information Commission rejected the 97 applications and warned A Santhosh, a resident of Villupuram, that he could be sent for medical counselling if he continued filing what the commissioner described as mindless RTI applications. The proceedings also brought details of a harassment complaint against Santhosh and the woman's suicide attempt before the commission.

Man files RTI applications after relationship ends

According to the submission made by the Additional Superintendent of Police, Cuddalore district, who was the Public Information Officer (PIO), Santhosh was in a relationship with a woman who was his college classmate in 2024.


The relationship ended after the two completed college. Following the breakup, Santhosh allegedly continued contacting the woman through phone calls and social media.

The police informed the commission that this conduct amounted to harassment and that the woman attempted suicide in June 2025. She was subsequently admitted to a government hospital for treatment.

The woman also lodged a harassment complaint against Santhosh with the police. The PIO furnished a copy of her complaint before the commission during the proceedings.

Police issue CSR after woman's complaint

The police told the commission that they had conducted an inquiry into the complaint after issuing a Community Service Register (CSR).

Following the police inquiry, Santhosh began filing repeated RTI applications with the police station, seeking information through numerous questions.

The applications covered both police-related information and details about the woman's personal life.

Some of his questions sought to establish whether she was alive, whether she was married, where she lived and worked, and how many men she had allegedly been in relationships with.

He also asked whether she was in a relationship with another person and whether she had cheated on other men.

The applications went beyond questions about the police inquiry. Santhosh also sought a photograph of the woman through the RTI process.

One application contained 179 questions

One of the RTI applications contained 179 questions. Of these, 68 questions sought CCTV camera footage from specific dates.

The remaining questions included queries concerning the woman's personal life and other information sought from the police.

Altogether, Santhosh had filed 97 RTI applications containing 1,887 questions.

The repeated applications eventually came before Information Commissioner V P R Elamparithi of the Tamil Nadu Information Commission. Santhosh appeared in person before the commission on Tuesday to present his arguments.

Information commissioner rejects applications and questions RTI misuse

While examining the applications and the police submission, Elamparithi referred to the purpose of the RTI Act and the manner in which it is intended to be used.

The commissioner observed that the RTI Act was a powerful instrument available to ordinary citizens and had been effectively used to expose corruption and protect individuals' rights in their dealings with the system.

However, the commissioner referred to Santhosh's applications as an example of how the legislation could be misused.

The order specifically highlighted that Santhosh had gone to the extent of seeking a photograph of the woman through the RTI Act.

The commission rejected all 97 applications containing the 1,887 questions.

Elamparithi also issued a stern warning to Santhosh against continuing to file such applications.

Commissioner warns of medical counselling if applications continue

In the detailed order dated November 5, 2026, the commissioner warned that further applications of this nature could result in Santhosh being sent for medical counselling.

The order stated: "We will be forced to send you to undergo medical counselling if further such mindless RTI pleas in contempt of the Act are filed.

After the commissioner rejected his applications and issued the warning, Santhosh submitted that he would approach the court to seek justice

Following Santhosh's submission that he intended to approach the court, the commission closed the petition.

(With TOI reports)