The Karnataka High Court held that income tax returns are personal information exempt from disclosure under the Right to Information Act, 2005, even to a spouse, unless larger public interest is shown, advising recourse before a competent matrimonial court.
The Uttar Pradesh State Information Commission ruled that a son-in-law cannot seek personal details of his father-in-law under the RTI Act. The Commission held RTI cannot be misused to invade privacy or collect material for private disputes.
The Economic Survey cautioned that the RTI Act, 2005 was not meant for idle curiosity or micromanaging governance. However, it reaffirmed RTI’s crucial role in strengthening transparency, accountability, and democratic oversight of government functioning.
