The Karnataka High Court extended the interim order preventing trial court proceedings against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The court adjourned the hearing of Siddaramaiah’s petition challenging the Governor’s order to September 2. Arguments and counterarguments were presented to address the prosecution sanction, with concerns raised about alleged fraud and improper land transfers.
Today, On 28th June, The Delhi High Court ruled that deemed universities are not subject to the RTI Act unless government-controlled. The decision followed a petition for student information from Vinayak Mission University. The court upheld the CIC’s decision, citing lack of government control or funding. It emphasized privacy concerns and the need for public interest in information disclosure.
The State Bank of India refuses to disclose electoral bond SOPs, citing “commercial confidence” and intellectual property concerns. An advocate’s appeal for transparency has been denied, leading to escalation to the Central Information Commission. This reflects broader concerns about transparency in political funding, highlighting the tension between transparency advocates and institutions prioritizing confidentiality.
A recent RTI query revealed that 51.64% of candidates failed to pass India’s Bar Examination, highlighting challenges faced by law aspirants. The Bar Council of India cited exam frequency issues due to COVID-19. Critics suggest a need to enhance legal education to meet practical demands, sparking debate on maintaining rigorous standards while ensuring fair access to the legal profession.
On 7th March, The Calcutta High Court reprimanded Assistant Registrar Anup Kumar Mukherjee for misusing RTI data in a PIL against Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad University, highlighting ethical breaches in recruitment allegations. The Chief Justice warned Mukherjee of legal consequences and urged him to withdraw the PIL, emphasizing the seriousness of using official information for personal gain.
On 1st March, The Delhi High Court upheld the CBDT’s right to withhold tax information of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust under the RTI Act, citing Section 138(1)(b). This decision follows a similar judgment on PM Cares Fund exemptions. An appeal is scheduled for July 10, following the stay granted in January 2023.
The Delhi High Court clarified that the CBI must disclose information related to corruption and human rights violations under the RTI Act, rejecting blanket exemptions. This reaffirms the importance of transparency and accountability, ensuring that exemptions do not undermine the Act’s purpose. The ruling emphasizes the balance between confidentiality in investigations and the public’s right to information.
In a significant ruling, the Delhi High Court has determined that legal advice provided by the Solicitor General of India to the Central Government is exempt from disclosure under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005. This decision, articulated by Justice Subramonium Prasad, underscores the fiduciary nature of the relationship between the Solicitor General and […]
In a significant move towards digitization and enhancing access to justice, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has introduced two new software modules. The Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court, Justice Ravi Shanker Jha, e-launched these modules, which are aimed at streamlining the process of traffic challan disposal in Chandigarh and facilitating the […]