The CBI cannot claim absolute exemption from disclosing information pertaining to allegations of corruption and human rights violations held by it under the RTI Act, the Delhi High Court has held.
Hyderabad-based RTI activist C J Karira had sought information pertaining to corruption in several top offices of the country from the CBI, but the agency had said since it is exempted from the RTI Act, it will not share such records.
The CBI has been denying information citing Section 24 of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, which says that its provisions will not apply to intelligence and security organisations, which also include IB, RAW, NIA and the Enforcement Directorate.
The CBI was included in the list by the erstwhile UPA Government.
The Act however clearly states that the information pertaining to the allegations of corruption and human rights violations will not fall under the exemption given to these organisations under Section 24 of the RTI Act.
