Madras High Court Rejects Blanket RTI Exemption for Vigilance Corruption Enquiry Records

The Madras High Court held that Tamil Nadu’s Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption cannot claim a blanket RTI exemption for information concerning corruption allegations.

Background

The State challenged an Information Commission direction to disclose records of an enquiry involving a retired police officer. The agency cited confidentiality and possible risks to witnesses.

Legal issue and reasoning

The Court found that the corruption exception to the statutory exemption applied and that general safety assertions were insufficient. Confidential third-party information could still be redacted under the Act.

Consequence and next step

The disclosure direction was upheld with appropriate masking and consultation safeguards. Internal departmental instructions cannot create additional exemptions absent from the statute.