The key takeaway from the situation involving the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) and Shri Yogi M.P. Singh is as follows:
The “Transparency Gap” in Public Authorities
The core issue is the systemic failure of the LDA to adhere to the RTI Act, specifically regarding the enforcement of orders from the Human Rights Commission. Despite a clear mandate from the First Appellate Authority, the case highlights a pattern of bureaucratic evasion where information is withheld to shield potential administrative lapses or corruption.
Key Summary Points:
- Defiance of High-Level Orders: The LDA has allegedly failed to comply with a 2021 U.P. Human Rights Commission directive, leading to a breakdown in institutional accountability.
- Tactical Delays: The Public Information Officer (PIO) and Law Section have utilized “ping-pong” tactics—transferring applications and missing deadlines—to avoid disclosing sensitive records regarding land registries and staff notings.
- Judicial Overreach Concerns: There is a serious allegation that the LDA executed land registries in violation of High Court instructions, which directed that a title suit be decided first.
- The 15-Day Ultimatum: The First Appellate Officer has officially ordered the Law Section to provide the information within 15 days or face “contrary orders,” placing the burden of proof and performance directly on the Deputy Secretary.
The Bottom Line
The case serves as a critical example of how administrative silence is used as a tool to bypass the rule of law. The resolution of this matter will determine whether the LDA operates as a transparent public body or continues to function as an opaque entity where accountability is easily subverted.
Transparency Under Siege: The Battle for Accountability at Lucknow Development Authority
The Right to Information (RTI) Act of 2005 was envisioned as a “sunlight” law, designed to disinfect the corridors of power and ensure that public authorities remain answerable to the citizens they serve. However, the ongoing case of Shri Yogi M.P. Singh vs. Public Information Officer (PIO), Lucknow Development Authority (LDA), reveals a troubling pattern of bureaucratic resistance, shifting excuses, and a blatant disregard for statutory timelines.
At its core, this is not just a dispute over a single property; it is a litmus test for the rule of law within one of Uttar Pradesh’s most significant development bodies.
The Genesis: A Human Rights Mandate Ignored
The conflict traces back to a clear directive from the Uttar Pradesh Human Rights Commission (UPHRC). On December 14, 2021, the Commission passed an order (Diary No. 1865/IN/2021) directing the Vice Chairman of the LDA to take necessary action regarding a representation submitted by Shri Yogi M.P. Singh on behalf of a victim, Dinesh Pratap Singh.
Despite the gravity of a Human Rights Commission order, compliance remained elusive. To fix accountability and understand why the order was being “taken under the teeth” by LDA officials, the appellant filed an RTI application on January 23, 2024. He sought five specific points of information, including:
- The date the LDA received the UPHRC order.
- Internal file notings regarding compliance efforts.
- Details of the staff involved in land registries that allegedly bypassed High Court directives.
A Masterclass in Bureaucratic Evasion
Rather than providing factual records, the LDA’s response—or lack thereof—has been a series of tactical delays. The history of this case (Appeal No. LKDPA/A/2023/60082) highlights the common hurdles faced by RTI activists:
- The “Silent Treatment”: The PIO failed to provide information within the mandatory 30-day period, forcing the appellant into a First Appeal.
- The “Transfer” Trap: The application was bounced between the Deputy Secretary and the Law Section, with neither taking responsibility for the disclosure.
- The “Inquiry” Shield: In later stages, the LDA attempted to use an “ongoing internal committee” as a reason to withhold documents. This is a classic “black hole” tactic where information is denied indefinitely because a matter is “under investigation.
- The “Rule 4” Rejection: Most recently, the LDA rejected requests using Rule 4(2)(a) of the U.P. RTI Rules, claiming the sought information was not part of their records—a claim that borders on the absurd given that the information involves the LDA’s own registries, staff postings, and court communications.
The High Court and the “Multi-Named” Registry
One of the most serious allegations in this case involves the registry of land in favor of an individual referred to as Anuradha Singh (also known as Aradhana or Guddi). According to the appellant, the Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court had explicitly directed the petitioner to establish her title through a civil suit before seeking possession.
The LDA, however, allegedly executed the registry without a competent court order deciding the title suit. By withholding the staff details and the basis for this registry, the LDA is accused of shielding corrupt officials who may have bypassed judicial mandates. This creates a “Transparency Paradox”: the very records that would prove legal compliance are the ones the authority claims it cannot find or provide.
“It seems that there is no rule of law in the working of the Lucknow Development Authority where such orders are taken under teeth because of the rampant corruption in the working of the public staff.” — Yogi M.P. Singh, Appellant
The Order: A Glimmer of Accountability?
On May 31, 2024, the First Appellate Officer (Additional Secretary, LDA) finally intervened. Recognizing that the information was related to the Law Section and had been wrongfully withheld, the officer issued a stern directive:
The Officer-in-Charge (Law) / PIO must provide the requested records within 15 days.
The order warned that failure to comply would result in “contrary orders” under the provisions of the RTI Act. This directive places Deputy Secretary Atul Krishna and other concerned officers under a legal obligation to stop the obfuscation.
Why This Case Matters
The struggle of Yogi M.P. Singh is representative of a larger crisis in Indian governance. When public authorities like the LDA treat RTI applications as a “mockery,” they undermine the democratic right of every citizen.
- Fixed Accountability: Without knowing which officer sat on a file or ignored a court order, corruption remains nameless and unpunishable.
- Administrative Integrity: Public bodies must maintain indexed records as per Section 4 of the RTI Act. Claiming “records not held” for major land registries is a sign of either gross incompetence or deliberate concealment.
- The Power of Persistence: This case demonstrates that while the system is slow, the multi-tier appeal process (First Appeal to State Information Commission) remains the only way to crack the shell of bureaucratic secrecy.
Conclusion: The Road Ahead
The LDA is now at a crossroads. It can choose to comply with the First Appellate Authority’s order and restore a shred of public trust, or it can continue to shield its “Law Section” behind technicalities. For the appellant, the fight continues—not just for a plot of land, but for the principle that no government department is above the law.
The 15-day deadline is a ticking clock for the LDA. Transparency is no longer a choice; it is a mandate.
Based on the official records and recent contact directories for the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA), here are the structured contact details for the concerned public authorities and officers mentioned in your case.
1. Primary Institutional Details
- Official Website: www.ldalucknow.in
- Head Office Address: Sector 38A, 2A, Vipin Khand, Gomti Nagar, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh – 226010
- General Helpline: 1800-1800-5000 (Toll-Free)
- General Email: contact@ldalucknow.in / vicechairmanlda@gmail.com
2. Key Public Information Officers (PIOs)
The following officers are specifically designated for RTI and legal compliance matters:
| Officer Name | Designation | Mobile Number | Email / Location |
| Atul Krishna Singh | Deputy Secretary (PIO) | 9918001893 | LDA Head Office |
| Hemchandra Tiwari | Chakbandi Adhikari (PIO) | 9918001554 | hemtiwari071@gmail.com |
| Rekha Doharey | RTI Nodal Officer | 7081100326 | ldartionline@gmail.com |
| Sangeeta Raghav | OSD (RTI Rejection Officer) | 8700466360 | raghavsangeeta160@gmail.com |
| Arun Kumar Mishra | Law Advisor (Law Section) | 9918001979 | New Building, Ground Floor |
3. Senior Administrative Authorities
These officers oversee the functioning of the PIOs and are responsible for overall accountability:
- Shri Prathamesh Kumar (Vice Chairman, LDA)
- Phone: 0522-2307868
- Mobile: 7232914444
- Email: vicechairmanlda@gmail.com
- Shri Vivek Srivastava (Secretary, LDA)
- Phone: 0522-2307872
- Mobile: 9918001605
- Dr. Roshan Jacob (Chairman / Divisional Commissioner)
- Phone: 0522-2629522
4. External Oversight Bodies
If the LDA fails to comply with the 15-day order, these bodies are the next point of contact:
- U.P. Information Commission (UPIC)
- Address: RTI Bhawan, 7/7/A, Vibhuti Khand, Gomti Nagar, Lucknow.
- Web Link: upsic.up.gov.in
- RTI Online Portal: rtionline.up.gov.in
- U.P. Human Rights Commission (UPHRC)
- Address: 2, Vidhan Sabha Marg, Hazratganj, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh – 226001.
Next Step for You
Since the 15-day deadline for the First Appeal (Order Date: 31.05.2024) has long passed, the most effective action now is to file a Second Appeal or a Non-Compliance Complaint under Section 18/19(3) of the RTI Act with the State Information Commission.
Would you like me to draft a “Notice of Non-Compliance” addressed to the Vice Chairman and the Secretary to warn them before you approach the Information Commission?
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