Right to Information: Supreme Court Declares Transparency is Not Optional
- ByAdmin --
- 09 Apr 2025 --
- 0 Comments
It began with a simple question: “How much has the government spent on renovating official residences?”
The answer? Silence. Red tape. Rejection.
So a group of RTI activists took the matter to court, and in early 2025, the Supreme Court responded with clarity:
“The Right to Information is the bedrock of democracy. It cannot be diluted by delay or denial.”
The Case
Information sought under the RTI Act, 2005 was repeatedly denied by Public Information Officers (PIOs), citing “security concerns” and “lack of public interest.”
But the SC bench ruled:
- The onus is on the department to justify denial
- Delay beyond 30 days violates Section 7(1) of the Act
- Vague reasons cannot override the citizen’s right to know
What the RTI Act Guarantees
- Access to any government-held information (with a few exceptions)
- Appeals if denied access
- Power to hold public officials accountable for misuse of authority or misuse of funds
Real-World Impact of the Judgment
- Government departments must comply more proactively
- PIOs can now face fines up to ₹25,000 for unjustified rejections
- Citizens gain new confidence in using RTI as a tool for activism and journalism
The message is clear: Information is power, and power belongs to the people.
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