(1) Any person may file a complaint with the Commission in accordance with the provisions of section 18 of the Act.
(2) A complaint should be typed, printed or written neatly and legibly and should be filed in three copies.
(3) A complaint should be submitted in Form 10. A complainant may file a complaint drafted on plain paper containing all details as required in Form 10.
(4) All necessary documents in support of the complaint should be annexed to the complaint.
Registration and disposal of appeals
(5) Every complaint shall be examined by the Registrar. If the Registrar is of the view that the complaint is not in accordance with the provisions of the Rules, he shall return the complaint to the complainant, pointing out the defect(s) therein for the removal of defect(s), and enter the details thereof in a register maintained for the purpose in Form 11. If the Registrar is of the view that the complaint is in accordance with the provisions of the Rules, he shall cause the complaint to be numbered and entered in a register maintained for the purpose in Form 12.
(6) After a complaint has been registered, the Registrar shall forward it to the Chief Information Commissioner or the Information Commissioner having jurisdiction over the matter.
(7) The Commission shall allot a case number to the complaint and fix the date for the first hearing of the complaint.
(8) The Commission shall issue notices to the complainant and the State Public Information Officer concerned at least 15 days before the date fixed for the hearing. A copy of the complaint shall also be sent to the State Public Information Officer directing him to submit his written statement in two copies by the date fixed.
(9) On the date of hearing of the complaint, a copy of the written statement of the State Public Information Officer shall be furnished to the complainant for his submission, if any. After consideration of the contents of the complaint, the written statement of the State Public Information Officer and the submission made by the parties at the hearing, if the Commission is of the view that no reasonable grounds exist to inquire into the matter, it shall dismiss the complaint. The Commission, if it is satisfied that there are reasonable grounds to inquire into the matter, may initiate an inquiry in respect thereof, such inquiry to be conducted in accordance with the provisions of sub-sections
(3) and (4) of section 18 of the Act and these Rules.