Know your rights

Civic procedures, in plain language

How to file an RTI, get a police FIR registered, meet the Collector, complain as a consumer, report a bribe, and what to do when no one responds. One clear guide for each — written for residents, not lawyers.

This is public-awareness information, not legal advice. Procedures and contact details can change; always confirm the current rules on the official links provided before you act. For an emergency, dial 112.

Right to Information

Filing an RTI to get information from a government office

Any citizen can ask almost any public office for its records, files and reasons — and the law forces a reply within 30 days. Here's how to write and file one.

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Dealing with officials

Meeting the District Collector with a grievance

The Collector is the senior-most official in the district, and there's a fixed weekly day to put a petition directly in front of them. Here's how to use it.

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What to do when an official ignores you

A complaint that vanishes into silence is not the end of the road. There's a clear ladder — helpline, central portal, ombudsman — to escalate an unanswered grievance.

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Police & FIR

Filing a police complaint and getting an FIR registered

For a serious (cognizable) offence the police must register an FIR — and if they refuse, the law gives you a clear ladder to force it. Note: the rules changed on 1 July 2024.

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Consumer rights

Filing a consumer complaint

Sold a defective product, denied a refund, cheated by a service? You can file a consumer case online without a lawyer and claim compensation. Here's the route.

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Corruption & vigilance

Reporting corruption or a bribe demand

Asked for a bribe to do a job that's your right? There are dedicated anti-corruption agencies — state and central — that act on such complaints, sometimes with a trap. Here's how to report.

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Women & child safety

Women's and child safety — helplines and your rights

The numbers to know in an emergency, and the rights that protect women and children — from the all-in-one 112 to the dedicated women's, child, and cyber-crime lines.

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Going to court & legal aid

Getting free legal aid — and going to court

If a complaint, an appeal, or a Commission's order is being ignored, the next step can be a court — and not being able to afford a lawyer is no longer a barrier. The state must provide one free.

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