REPORTABLE

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA

CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION
CIVIL APPEAL NOs.10787-10788 OF 2011
(Arising out of S.L.P(C) No.!"#$%!"#&'!()()
C*i+f Infor,-tion Co,,r. -n. Anot*+r ...A//+00-nt(s)
- Versus -
St-t+ of M-ni/ur -n. Anot*+r ...R+s/on.+nt(s)
J U D G M E N T
GANGULY, J.
). L+-1+ gr-nt+..
2. T*+s+ -//+-0s *-1+ 2++n fi0+. 23 t*+ C*i+f
Infor,-tion Co,,ission+r4 M-ni/ur -n. on+ Mr.
5-*-ng2-, Jo36u,-r i,/ugning t*+ 7u.g,+nt .-t+.
!&
t*
Ju03 !()( /-ss+. 23 t*+ Hig* Court in 5rit
A//+-0 Nos. )) -n. )! of !(($ in 8onn+8tion 9it*
t9o 5rit P+tition No." of !((" -n. 5rit P+tition
1
No. :"$ of !((". T*+ ,-t+ri-0 f-8ts gi1ing ris+ to
t*+ 8ontro1+rs3 in t*is 8-s+ 8-n 2+ su,,-ri;+. -s
fo00o9s<
3. A//+00-nt No.! fi0+. -n -//0i8-tion .-t+. &
t*
F+2ru-r34 !((" un.+r S+8tion # of t*+ Rig*t to
Infor,-tion A8t (=A8t>) for o2t-ining infor,-tion
fro, t*+ St-t+ Infor,-tion Offi8+r r+0-ting to
,-gist+ri-0 +n?uiri+s initi-t+. 23 t*+ @o1t. of
M-ni/ur fro, )&$(%!((#. As t*+ -//0i8-tion un.+r
S+8tion # r+8+i1+. no r+s/ons+4 -//+00-nt No. !
fi0+. - 8o,/0-int un.+r S+8tion )$ of t*+ A8t
2+for+ t*+ St-t+ C*i+f Infor,-tion Co,,ission+r4
9*o 23 -n or.+r .-t+. (
t*
M-34 !((" .ir+8t+.
r+s/on.+nt No. ! to furnis* t*+ infor,-tion 9it*in
)A .-3s. T*+ s-i. .ir+8tion 9-s 8*-00+ng+. 23 t*+
St-t+ 23 fi0ing - 5rit P+tition.
4. T*+ s+8on. 8o,/0-int .-t+. )&
t*
M-34 !((" 9-s fi0+.
23 t*+ -//+00-nt No. ! on )&
t*
M-34 !((" for
o2t-ining si,i0-r infor,-tion for t*+ /+rio.
2+t9++n )&$( % M-r8* !((". As no r+s/ons+ 9-s
2
r+8+i1+. t*is ti,+ -0so4 -//+00-nt No. ! -g-in
fi0+. - 8o,/0-int un.+r S+8tion )$ -n. t*+ s-,+
9-s .is/os+. of 23 -n or.+r .-t+. ):
t*
August4 !(("
.ir+8ting .is80osur+ of t*+ infor,-tion soug*t for
9it*in )A .-3s. T*-t or.+r 9-s -0so 8*-00+ng+. 23
9-3 of - 5rit P+tition 23 t*+ r+s/on.+nts.
5. Bot* t*+ 5rit P+titions 9+r+ *+-r. tog+t*+r -n.
9+r+ .is,iss+. 23 - 8o,,on or.+r .-t+. )#
t*
No1+,2+r4 !((" 23 0+-rn+. Sing0+ Ju.g+ of t*+ Hig*
Court 23 inter alia u/*o0.ing t*+ or.+r of t*+
Co,,ission+r. T*+ 5rit A//+-0 8-,+ to 2+ fi0+.
-g-inst 2ot* t*+ 7u.g,+nts -n. 9+r+ .is/os+. of 23
t*+ i,/ugn+. or.+r .-t+. !&
t*
Ju03 !()(. B3 t*+
i,/ugn+. or.+r4 t*+ Hig* Court *+0. t*-t un.+r
S+8tion )$ of t*+ A8t t*+ Co,,ission+r *-s no
/o9+r to .ir+8t t*+ r+s/on.+nt to furnis* t*+
infor,-tion -n. furt*+r *+0. t*-t su8* - /o9+r *-s
-0r+-.3 2++n 8onf+rr+. un.+r S+8tion )&($) of t*+
A8t on t*+ 2-sis of -n +C+r8is+ un.+r S+8tion )&
on03. T*+ Di1ision B+n8* furt*+r 8-,+ to *o0. t*-t
t*+ .ir+8tion to furnis* infor,-tion is 9it*out
3
7uris.i8tion -n. .ir+8t+. t*+ Co,,ission+r to
.is/os+ of t*+ 8o,/0-ints in -88or.-n8+ 9it* 0-9.
#. B+for+ .+-0ing 9it* 8ontro1+rs3 in t*is 8-s+4 0+t
us 8onsi.+r t*+ o27+8t -n. /ur/os+ of t*+ A8t -n.
t*+ +1o01ing ,os-i8 of 7uris/ru.+nti-0 t*in6ing
9*i8* 1irtu-003 0+. to its +n-8t,+nt in !((A.
". As its /r+-,20+ s*o9s t*+ A8t 9-s +n-8t+. to
/ro,ot+ tr-ns/-r+n83 -n. -88ount-2i0it3 in t*+
9or6ing of +1+r3 /u20i8 -ut*orit3 in or.+r to
str+ngt*+n t*+ 8or+ 8onstitution-0 1-0u+s of -
.+,o8r-ti8 r+/u20i8. It is 80+-r t*-t t*+
P-r0i-,+nt +n-8t+. t*+ s-i. A8t 6++/ing in ,in.
t*+ rig*ts of -n infor,+. 8iti;+nr3 in 9*i8*
tr-ns/-r+n83 of infor,-tion is 1it-0 in 8ur2ing
8orru/tion -n. ,-6ing t*+ @o1+rn,+nt -n. its
instru,+nt-0iti+s -88ount-20+. T*+ A8t is ,+-nt to
*-r,onis+ t*+ 8onf0i8ting int+r+sts of @o1+rn,+nt
to /r+s+r1+ t*+ 8onfi.+nti-0it3 of s+nsiti1+
infor,-tion 9it* t*+ rig*t of 8iti;+ns to 6no9 t*+
fun8tioning of t*+ go1+rn,+nt-0 /ro8+ss in su8* -
4
9-3 -s to /r+s+r1+ t*+ /-r-,ount83 of t*+
.+,o8r-ti8 i.+-0.
$. T*+ /r+-,20+ 9ou0. o21ious03 s*o9 t*-t t*+ A8t is
2-s+. on t*+ 8on8+/t of -n o/+n so8i+t3.
9. On t*+ +,+rging 8on8+/t of -n Do/+n @o1+rn,+ntE4
-2out ,or+ t*-n t*r++ .+8-.+s -go4 t*+
Constitution B+n8* of t*is Court in The !"!e #$
U!!"% P%"&esh 1. R"' N"%"() * #!he%s F AIR )&"A SC
$#A s/+-6ing t*roug* Justi8+ M-t*+9 *+0.<
=GT*+ /+o/0+ of t*is 8ountr3 *-1+ - rig*t to
6no9 +1+r3 /u20i8 -8t4 +1+r3t*ing4 t*-t is
.on+ in - /u20i8 9-34 23 t*+ir /u20i8
fun8tion-ri+s. T*+3 -r+ +ntit0+. to 6no9 t*+
/-rti8u0-rs of +1+r3 /u20i8 tr-ns-8tion in
-00 its 2+-ring. T*+ rig*t to 6no94 9*i8* is
.+ri1+. fro, t*+ 8on8+/t of fr++.o, of
s/++8*4 t*oug* not -2so0ut+4 is - f-8tor
9*i8* s*ou0. ,-6+ on+ 9-r34 9*+n s+8r+83 is
80-i,+. for tr-ns-8tions 9*i8* 8-n4 -t -n3
r-t+4 *-1+ no r+/+r8ussion on /u20i8
s+8urit3. G To 8o1+r 9it* 1+i0 of s+8r+834
t*+ 8o,,on routin+ 2usin+ss4 is not in t*+
int+r+st of t*+ /u20i8. Su8* s+8r+83 8-n
s+0.o, 2+ 0+giti,-t+03 .+sir+..>
(/-r- ":4 /-g+ $$:)
5
10. Anot*+r Constitution B+n8* in .P.G+,!" * O%s. 1.
P%es(&e)! #$ I)&(" ")& O%s. (AIR )&$! SC ):&)
r+03ing on t*+ r-tio in R"' N"%"() (su/r-) *+0.<
=GT*+ 8on8+/t of -n o/+n go1+rn,+nt is t*+
.ir+8t +,-n-tion fro, t*+ rig*t to 6no9
9*i8* s++,s to 2+ i,/0i8it in t*+ rig*t of
fr++ s/++8* -n. +C/r+ssion gu-r-nt++. un.+r
Arti80+ )&())(-). T*+r+for+4 .is80osur+ of
infor,-tion in r+g-r. to t*+ fun8tioning of
@o1+rn,+nt ,ust 2+ t*+ ru0+ -n. s+8r+83 -n
+C8+/tion 7ustifi+. on03 9*+r+ t*+ stri8t+st
r+?uir+,+nt of /u20i8 int+r+st so .+,-n.s.
T*+ -//ro-8* of t*+ 8ourt ,ust 2+ to
-tt+nu-t+ t*+ -r+- of s+8r+83 -s ,u8* -s
/ossi20+ 8onsist+nt03 9it* t*+ r+?uir+,+nt
of /u20i8 int+r+st4 2+-ring in ,in. -00 t*+
ti,+ t*-t .is80osur+ -0so s+r1+s -n
i,/ort-nt -s/+8t of /u20i8 int+r+stG>
(/-r- ##4 /-g+ !:)
)). It is4 t*+r+for+4 80+-r fro, t*+ r-tio in t*+
-2o1+ .+8isions of t*+ Constitution B+n8* of t*is
Court t*-t t*+ rig*t to infor,-tion4 9*i8* is
2-si8-003 foun.+. on t*+ rig*t to 6no94 is -n
intrinsi8 /-rt of t*+ fun.-,+nt-0 rig*t to fr++
s/++8* -n. +C/r+ssion gu-r-nt++. un.+r Arti80+
)&())(-) of t*+ Constitution. T*+ s-i. A8t 9-s4
6
t*us4 +n-8t+. to 8onso0i.-t+ t*+ fun.-,+nt-0 rig*t
of fr++ s/++8*.
12. In e-%e!"%., M()(s!%. #$ I)$#%/"!(#) *
B%#"&-"s!()0, G#1!. #$ I)&(" ")& O%s. 1. C%(-2e!
Ass#-("!(#) #$ Be)0"3 ")& O%s. F ()&&A) ! SCC )#),
t*is Court -0so *+0. t*-t rig*t to -8?uir+
infor,-tion -n. to .iss+,in-t+ it is -n intrinsi8
8o,/on+nt of fr++.o, of s/++8* -n. +C/r+ssion.
(S++ /-r- : /-g+ !) of t*+ r+/ort).
13. Ag-in in Re3(")-e Pe!%#-he/(-"3s L!&. 1.
P%#,%(e!#%s #$ I)&(") E4,%ess Ne5s,",e%s B#/6".
P1!. L!&. * #!he%s F ()&$$) : SCC A&! t*is Court
r+8ognis+. t*-t t*+ Rig*t to Infor,-tion is -
fun.-,+nt-0 rig*t un.+r Arti80+ !) of t*+
Constitution.
):. T*is Court s/+-6ing t*roug* Justi8+ S-23-s-8*i
Mu6*-r7i4 -s His Lor.s*i/ t*+n 9-s4 *+0.<
=G5+ ,ust r+,+,2+r t*-t t*+ /+o/0+ -t 0-rg+
*-1+ - rig*t to 6no9 in or.+r to 2+ -20+ to
t-6+ /-rt in - /-rti8i/-tor3 .+1+0o/,+nt in
7
t*+ in.ustri-0 0if+ -n. .+,o8r-83. Rig*t to
6no9 is - 2-si8 rig*t 9*i8* 8iti;+ns of -
fr++ 8ountr3 -s/ir+ in t*+ 2ro-.+r *ori;on
of t*+ rig*t to 0i1+ in t*is -g+ in our 0-n.
un.+r Arti80+ !) of our Constitution. T*-t
rig*t *-s r+-8*+. n+9 .i,+nsions -n.
urg+n83. T*-t rig*t /uts gr+-t+r
r+s/onsi2i0it3 u/on t*os+ 9*o t-6+ u/on
t*+,s+01+s t*+ r+s/onsi2i0it3 to infor,.>
(/-r- :4 /-g+ #) of t*+ r+/ort)
15. In Pe#,3e7s U)(#) $#% C(1(3 L(6e%!(es ")& A)%. 1.
U)(#) #$ I)&(" ")& O%s. F (!((:) ! SCC :"# t*is
Court r+it+r-t+.4 r+03ing on t*+ -for+s-i.
7u.g,+nts4 t*-t rig*t to infor,-tion is - f-8+t of
t*+ rig*t to fr++.o, of =s/++8* -n. +C/r+ssion> -s
8ont-in+. in Arti80+ )&())(-) of t*+ Constitution
of In.i- -n. -0so *+0. t*-t rig*t to infor,-tion
is .+finit+03 - fun.-,+nt-0 rig*t. In 8o,ing to
t*is 8on80usion4 t*is Court tr-8+. t*+ origin of
t*+ s-i. rig*t fro, t*+ Uni1+rs-0 D+80-r-tion of
Hu,-n Rig*ts4 )&:$ -n. -0so Arti80+ )& of t*+
Int+rn-tion-0 Co1+n-nt on Ci1i0 -n. Po0iti8-0
Rig*ts4 9*i8* 9-s r-tifi+. 23 In.i- in )&"$. T*is
Court -0so foun. - si,i0-r +nun8i-tion of
/rin8i/0+ in t*+ D+80-r-tion of Euro/+-n
Con1+ntion for t*+ Prot+8tion of Hu,-n Rig*ts
8
()&A() -n. foun. t*-t t*+ s/irit of t*+ Uni1+rs-0
D+80-r-tion of )&:$ is +8*o+. in Arti80+ )&())(-)
of t*+ Constitution. (S++ /-r-s :A4 :# H :" -t
/-g+ :&A of t*+ r+/ort)
)#. T*+ +C+r8is+ of 7u.i8i-0 .is8r+tion in f-1our of
fr++ s/++8* is not on03 /+8u0i-r to our
7uris/ru.+n8+4 t*+ s-,+ is - /-rt of t*+
7uris/ru.+n8+ in -00 t*+ 8ountri+s 9*i8* -r+
go1+rn+. 23 ru0+ of 0-9 9it* -n in.+/+n.+nt
7u.i8i-r3. In t*is 8onn+8tion4 if 9+ ,-3 ?uot+
9*-t Lor. A8ton s-i. in on+ of *is s/++8*+s<
=E1+r3t*ing s+8r+t .+g+n+r-t+s4 +1+n t*+
-.,inistr-tion of 7usti8+I not*ing is s-f+
t*-t .o+s not s*o9 *o9 it 8-n 2+-r
.is8ussion -n. /u20i8it3>
)". It is4 t*+r+for+4 80+-r t*-t - so8i+t3 9*i8*
-.o/ts o/+nn+ss -s - 1-0u+ of o1+r-r8*ing
signifi8-n8+ not on03 /+r,its its 8iti;+ns - 9i.+
r-ng+ of fr++.o, of +C/r+ssion4 it -0so go+s
9
furt*+r in -8tu-003 o/+ning u/ t*+ .+0i2+r-ti1+
/ro8+ss of t*+ @o1+rn,+nt its+0f to t*+ sun0ig*t
of /u20i8 s8rutin3.
)$. Justi8+ Fr-n6furt+r -0so o/in+.<
=T*+ u0ti,-t+ foun.-tion of - fr++ so8i+t3
is t*+ 2in.ing ti+ of 8o*+si1+ s+nti,+nt.
Su8* - s+nti,+nt is fost+r+. 23 -00 t*os+
-g+n8i+s of t*+ ,in. -n. s/irit 9*i8* ,-3
s+r1+ to g-t*+r u/ t*+ tr-.itions of -
/+o/0+4 tr-ns,it t*+, fro, g+n+r-tion to
g+n+r-tion4 -n. t*+r+23 8r+-t+ t*-t
8ontinuit3 of - tr+-sur+. 8o,,on 0if+ 9*i8*
8onstitut+s - 8i1i0i;-tion. =5+ 0i1+ 23
s3,2o0s.> T*+ f0-g is t*+ s3,2o0 of our
n-tion-0 unit34 tr-ns8+n.ing -00 int+rn-0
.iff+r+n8+s4 *o9+1+r 0-rg+4 9it*in t*+
fr-,+9or6 of t*+ Constitution.>
)&. A8tu-003 t*+ 8on8+/t of -8ti1+ 0i2+rt34 9*i8* is
stru8tur+. on fr++ s/++8*4 ,+-ns s*-ring of -
n-tionEs so1+r+ign -ut*orit3 -,ong its /+o/0+.
So1+r+ignt3 in1o01+s t*+ 0+giti,-83 of -
go1+rn,+nt-0 -8tion. An. - s*-ring of so1+r+ign
-ut*orit3 sugg+sts inti,-t+ 8orr+0-tion 2+t9++n
t*+ fun8tioning of t*+ @o1+rn,+nt -n. 8o,,on ,-nEs
6no90+.g+ of su8* fun8tioning.
(Active Liberty by Stephen Breyer page 15)
10
!(. Ho9+1+r4 9*i0+ 8onsi.+ring t*+ 9i.t* -n. s9++/ of
t*is rig*t -s 9+00 -s its fun.-,+nt-0 i,/ort-n8+
in - .+,o8r-ti8 r+/u20i84 t*is Court is -0so
8ons8ious t*-t su8* - rig*t is su27+8t to
r+-son-20+ r+stri8tions un.+r Arti80+ )&(!) of t*+
Constitution.
21. T*us not+ of 8-ution *-s 2++n soun.+. 23 t*is
Court in D()esh T%(1e&(, M.P. * O!he%s 1. U)(#) #$
I)&(" * #!he%s F ()&&") : SCC (# 9*+r+ it *-s
2++n *+0. -s fo00o9s<
=GSun0ig*t is t*+ 2+st .isinf+8t-nt. But it is
+?u-003 i,/ort-nt to 2+ -0i1+ to t*+ .-ng+rs
t*-t 0i+ -*+-.. It is i,/ort-nt to r+-0i;+ t*-t
un.u+ /o/u0-r /r+ssur+ 2roug*t to 2+-r on
.+8ision ,-6+rs in @o1+rn,+nt 8-n *-1+
frig*t+ning si.+%+ff+8ts. If +1+r3 -8tion t-6+n
23 t*+ /o0iti8-0 or +C+8uti1+ fun8tion-r3 is
tr-nsfor,+. into - /u20i8 8ontro1+rs3 -n. ,-.+
su27+8t to -n +n?uir3 to soot*+ /o/u0-r
s+nti,+nts4 it 9i00 un.ou2t+.03 *-1+ - 8*i00ing
+ff+8t on t*+ in.+/+n.+n8+ of t*+ .+8ision
,-6+r 9*o ,-3 fin. it s-f+r not to t-6+ -n3
.+8ision. It 9i00 /-r-03s+ t*+ +ntir+ s3st+,
-n. 2ring it to - grin.ing *-0t. So 9+ *-1+ t9o
8onf0i8ting situ-tions -0,ost +nig,-ti8 -n. 9+
t*in6 t*+ -ns9+r is to ,-int-in - fin+ 2-0-n8+
9*i8* 9ou0. s+r1+ /u20i8 int+r+st.>
11
(/-r- )&4 /-g+ ):)
!!. T*+ A8t *-s siC C*-/t+rs -n. t9o S8*+.u0+s. Rig*t
to Infor,-tion *-s 2++n .+fin+. un.+r S+8tion !(7)
of t*+ A8t to ,+-n -s fo00o9s<
=(7) =rig*t to infor,-tion> ,+-ns t*+ rig*t to
infor,-tion -88+ssi20+ un.+r t*is A8t 9*i8* is
*+0. 23 or un.+r t*+ 8ontro0 of -n3 /u20i8
-ut*orit3 -n. in80u.+s t*+ rig*t to%
(i) ins/+8tion of 9or64 .o8u,+nts4 r+8or.sI
(ii) t-6ing not+s4 +Ctr-8ts4 or 8+rtifi+.
8o/i+s of .o8u,+nts or r+8or.sI
(iii) t-6ing 8+rtifi+. s-,/0+s of ,-t+ri-0I
(i1) o2t-ining infor,-tion in t*+ for, of
.is6+tt+s4 f0o//i+s4 t-/+s4 1i.+o 8-ss+tt+s or
in -n3 ot*+r +0+8troni8 ,o.+ or t*roug*
/rintouts 9*+r+ su8* infor,-tion is stor+. in -
8o,/ut+r or in -n3 ot*+r .+1i8+I>
!. Rig*t to Infor,-tion *-s -0so 2++n st-tutori03
r+8ognis+. un.+r S+8tion of t*+ A8t -s fo00o9s<
=8. R(0h! !# ()$#%/"!(#).- Su27+8t to t*+
/ro1isions of t*is A8t4 -00 8iti;+ns s*-00 *-1+
t*+ rig*t to infor,-tion.>
12
!:. S+8tion # in t*is 8onn+8tion is 1+r3 8ru8i-0.
Un.+r S+8tion # - /+rson4 9*o .+sir+s to o2t-in
-n3 infor,-tion un.+r t*is A8t4 s*-00 ,-6+ -
r+?u+st in 9riting or t*roug* +0+8troni8 ,+-ns in
Eng0is* or Hin.i or in t*+ offi8i-0 0-ngu-g+ of
t*+ -r+- in 9*i8* t*+ -//0i8-tion is 2+ing ,-.+4
-88o,/-n3ing su8* f++ -s ,-3 2+ /r+s8ri2+.. Su8*
r+?u+st ,-3 2+ ,-.+ to t*+ C+ntr-0 Pu20i8
Infor,-tion Offi8+r or St-t+ Pu20i8 Infor,-tion
Offi8+r4 -s t*+ 8-s+ ,-3 2+4 or to t*+ C+ntr-0
Assist-nt Pu20i8 Infor,-tion Offi8+r or St-t+
Assist-nt Pu20i8 Infor,-tion Offi8+r. In ,-6ing
t*+ s-i. r+?u+st t*+ -//0i8-nt is not r+?uir+. to
gi1+ -n3 r+-son for o2t-ining t*+ infor,-tion or
-n3 ot*+r /+rson-0 .+t-i0s +C8+/ting t*os+ 9*i8*
-r+ n+8+ss-r3 for 8ont-8ting *i,.
!A. It is ?uit+ int+r+sting to not+ t*-t +1+n t*oug*
un.+r S+8tion of t*+ A8t rig*t of -00 8iti;+ns4
to r+8+i1+ infor,-tion4 is st-tutori03 r+8ognis+.
2ut S+8tion # gi1+s t*+ s-i. rig*t to -n3 /+rson.
13
T*+r+for+4 S+8tion #4 in - s+ns+4 is 9i.+r in its
-,2it t*-n S+8tion .
!#. Aft+r su8* - r+?u+st for infor,-tion is ,-.+4 t*+
/ri,-r3 o20ig-tion of 8onsi.+r-tion of t*+ r+?u+st
is of t*+ Pu20i8 Infor,-tion Offi8+r -s /ro1i.+.
un.+r S+8tion ". Su8* r+?u+st *-s to 2+ .is/os+.
of -s +C/+.itious03 -s /ossi20+. In -n3 8-s+
9it*in ( .-3s fro, t*+ .-t+ of r+8+i/t of t*+
r+?u+st +it*+r t*+ infor,-tion s*-00 2+ /ro1i.+.
or t*+ s-,+ ,-3 2+ r+7+8t+. for -n3 of t*+ r+-sons
/ro1i.+. un.+r S+8tions $ -n. &. T*+ /ro1iso to
S+8tion " ,-6+s it 80+-r t*-t 9*+n it 8on8+rns t*+
0if+ or 0i2+rt3 of - /+rson4 t*+ infor,-tion s*-00
2+ /ro1i.+. 9it*in fort3%+ig*t *ours of t*+
r+8+i/t of t*+ r+?u+st. Su2%s+8tion (!) of S+8tion
" ,-6+s it 80+-r t*-t if t*+ C+ntr-0 Pu20i8
Infor,-tion Offi8+r or t*+ St-t+ Pu20i8
Infor,-tion Offi8+r4 -s t*+ 8-s+ ,-3 2+4 f-i0s to
gi1+ t*+ infor,-tion4 s/+8ifi+. in su2%s+8tion
())4 9it*in - /+rio. of ( .-3s it s*-00 2+ .++,+.
t*-t su8* r+?u+st *-s 2++n r+7+8t+.. Su2%s+8tion
14
() of S+8tion " /ro1i.+s for /-3,+nt of furt*+r
f++s r+/r+s+nting t*+ 8ost of infor,-tion to 2+
/-i. 23 t*+ /+rson 8on8+rn+.. T*+r+ -r+ 1-rious
su2%s+8tions in S+8tion " 9it* 9*i8* 9+ -r+ not
8on8+rn+.. Ho9+1+r4 Su2%s+8tion ($) of S+8tion "
is i,/ort-nt in 8onn+8tion 9it* t*+ /r+s+nt 8-s+.
Su2%s+8tion ($) of S+8tion " /ro1i.+s<
=($) 5*+r+ - r+?u+st *-s 2++n r+7+8t+. un.+r
su2%s+8tion ())4 t*+ C+ntr-0 Pu20i8 Infor,-tion
Offi8+r or St-t+ Pu20i8 Infor,-tion Offi8+r4 -s
t*+ 8-s+ ,-3 2+ s*-00 8o,,uni8-t+ to t*+ /+rson
,-6ing t*+ r+?u+st4%
(i) T*+ r+-sons for su8* r+7+8tionI
(ii)t*+ /+rio. 9it*in 9*i8* -n -//+-0
-g-inst su8* r+7+8tion ,-3 2+ /r+f+rr+.I
-n.
(iii)t*+ /-rti8u0-rs of t*+ -//+00-t+
-ut*orit3.
!". S+8tions $ -n. & +nu,+r-t+ t*+ groun.s of
+C+,/tion fro, .is80osur+ of infor,-tion -n. -0so
groun.s for r+7+8tion of r+?u+st in r+s/+8t of
so,+ it+,s of infor,-tion r+s/+8ti1+03. S+8tion ))
.+-0s 9it* t*ir. /-rt3 infor,-tion 9it* 9*i8* 9+
-r+ not 8on8+rn+. in t*is 8-s+.
15
28. T*+ ?u+stion 9*i8* f-00s for .+8ision in t*is 8-s+
is t*+ 7uris.i8tion4 if -n34 of t*+ Infor,-tion
Co,,ission+r un.+r S+8tion )$ in .ir+8ting
.is80osur+ of infor,-tion. In t*+ i,/ugn+.
7u.g,+nt of t*+ Di1ision B+n8*4 t*+ Hig* Court
*+0. t*-t t*+ C*i+f Infor,-tion Co,,ission+r -8t+.
2+3on. *is 7uris.i8tion 23 /-ssing t*+ i,/ugn+.
.+8ision .-t+. (
t*
M-34 !((" -n. ):
t*
August4 !((".
T*+ Di1ision B+n8* -0so *+0. t*-t un.+r S+8tion )$
of t*+ A8t t*+ St-t+ Infor,-tion Co,,ission+r is
not +,/o9+r+. to /-ss - .ir+8tion to t*+ St-t+
Infor,-tion Offi8+r for furnis*ing t*+ infor,-tion
soug*t for 23 t*+ 8o,/0-in-nt.
!&. If 9+ 0oo6 -t S+8tion )$ of t*+ A8t it -//+-rs
t*-t t*+ /o9+rs un.+r S+8tion )$ *-1+ 2++n
8-t+gori;+. un.+r 80-us+s (-) to (f) of S+8tion
)$()). Un.+r 80-us+s (-) to (f) of S+8tion )$())
of t*+ A8t t*+ C+ntr-0 Infor,-tion Co,,ission or
t*+ St-t+ Infor,-tion Co,,ission4 -s t*+ 8-s+ ,-3
2+4 ,-3 r+8+i1+ -n. in?uir+ into 8o,/0-int of -n3
/+rson 9*o *-s 2++n r+fus+. -88+ss to -n3
16
infor,-tion r+?u+st+. un.+r t*is A8t JS+8tion
)$())(2)K or *-s 2++n gi1+n in8o,/0+t+4 ,is0+-.ing
or f-0s+ infor,-tion un.+r t*+ A8t JS+8tion
)$())(+)K or *-s not 2++n gi1+n - r+s/ons+ to -
r+?u+st for infor,-tion or -88+ss to infor,-tion
9it*in ti,+ 0i,its s/+8ifi+. un.+r t*+ A8t
JS+8tion )$())(8). 5+ -r+ not 8on8+rn+. 9it*
/ro1ision of S+8tion )$())(-) or )$())(.) of t*+
A8t. H+r+ 9+ -r+ 8on8+rn+. 9it* t*+ r+si.u-r3
/ro1ision un.+r S+8tion )$())(f) of t*+ A8t.
Un.+r S+8tion )$() of t*+ A8t t*+ C+ntr-0
Infor,-tion Co,,ission or St-t+ Infor,-tion
Co,,ission4 -s t*+ 8-s+ ,-3 2+4 9*i0+ in?uiring
into -n3 ,-tt+r in t*is S+8tion *-s t*+ s-,+
/o9+rs -s -r+ 1+st+. in - 8i1i0 8ourt 9*i0+ tr3ing
- suit in r+s/+8t of 8+rt-in ,-tt+rs s/+8ifi+. in
S+8tion )$()(-) to (f). Un.+r S+8tion )$(:) 9*i8*
is - non%o2st-nt+ 80-us+4 t*+ C+ntr-0 Infor,-tion
Co,,ission or t*+ St-t+ Infor,-tion Co,,ission4 -s
t*+ 8-s+ ,-3 2+4 ,-3 +C-,in+ -n3 r+8or. to 9*i8*
t*+ A8t -//0i+s -n. 9*i8* is un.+r t*+ 8ontro0 of
t*+ /u20i8 -ut*orit3 -n. su8* r+8or.s 8-nnot 2+
17
9it**+0. fro, it on -n3 groun..
(. It *-s 2++n 8ont+n.+. 2+for+ us 23 t*+ r+s/on.+nt
t*-t un.+r S+8tion )$ of t*+ A8t t*+ C+ntr-0
Infor,-tion Co,,ission or t*+ St-t+ Infor,-tion
Co,,ission *-s no /o9+r to /ro1i.+ -88+ss to t*+
infor,-tion 9*i8* *-s 2++n r+?u+st+. for 23 -n3
/+rson 2ut 9*i8* *-s 2++n .+ni+. to *i,. T*+ on03
or.+r 9*i8* 8-n 2+ /-ss+. 23 t*+ C+ntr-0
Infor,-tion Co,,ission or t*+ St-t+ Infor,-tion
Co,,ission4 -s t*+ 8-s+ ,-3 2+4 un.+r S+8tion )$
is -n or.+r of /+n-0t3 /ro1i.+. un.+r S+8tion !(.
Ho9+1+r4 2+for+ su8* or.+r is /-ss+. t*+
Co,,ission+r ,ust 2+ s-tisfi+. t*-t t*+ 8on.u8t of
t*+ Infor,-tion Offi8+r 9-s not 2on- fi.+.
). 5+ u/*o0. t*+ s-i. 8ont+ntion -n. .o not fin. -n3
+rror in t*+ i,/ugn+. 7u.g,+nt of t*+ Hig* 8ourt
9*+r+23 it *-s 2++n *+0. t*-t t*+ Co,,ission+r
9*i0+ +nt+rt-ining - 8o,/0-int un.+r S+8tion )$ of
t*+ s-i. A8t *-s no 7uris.i8tion to /-ss -n or.+r
/ro1i.ing for -88+ss to t*+ infor,-tion.
18
!. In t*+ f-8ts of t*+ 8-s+4 t*+ -//+00-nt -ft+r
*-1ing -//0i+. for infor,-tion un.+r S+8tion # -n.
t*+n not *-1ing r+8+i1+. -n3 r+/03 t*+r+to4 it
,ust 2+ .++,+. t*-t *+ *-s 2++n r+fus+. t*+
infor,-tion. T*+ s-i. situ-tion is 8o1+r+. 23
S+8tion " of t*+ A8t. T*+ r+,+.3 for su8* -
/+rson 9*o *-s 2++n r+fus+. t*+ infor,-tion is
/ro1i.+. un.+r S+8tion )& of t*+ A8t. A r+-.ing of
S+8tion )&()) of t*+ A8t ,-6+s it 80+-r. S+8tion
)&()) of t*+ A8t is s+t out 2+0o9<%
=)&. A//+-0. % ()) An3 /+rson 9*o4 .o+s
not r+8+i1+ - .+8ision 9it*in t*+ ti,+
s/+8ifi+. in su2%s+8tion ()) or 80-us+ (-)
of su2%s+8tion () of s+8tion "4 or is
-ggri+1+. 23 - .+8ision of t*+ C+ntr-0
Pu20i8 Infor,-tion Offi8+r or t*+ St-t+
Pu20i8 Infor,-tion Offi8+r4 -s t*+ 8-s+ ,-3
2+4 ,-3 9it*in t*irt3 .-3s fro, t*+ +C/ir3
of su8* /+rio. or fro, t*+ r+8+i/t of su8* -
.+8ision /r+f+r -n -//+-0 to su8* offi8+r
9*o is s+nior in r-n6 to t*+ C+ntr-0 Pu20i8
Infor,-tion Offi8+r or t*+ St-t+ Pu20i8
Infor,-tion Offi8+r -s t*+ 8-s+ ,-3 2+4 in
+-8* /u20i8 -ut*orit3<
Pro1i.+. t*-t su8* offi8+r ,-3 -.,it t*+
-//+-0 -ft+r t*+ +C/ir3 of t*+ /+rio. of
t*irt3 .-3s if *+ or s*+ is s-tisfi+. t*-t
t*+ -//+00-nt 9-s /r+1+nt+. 23 suffi8i+nt
8-us+ fro, fi0ing t*+ -//+-0 in ti,+.>
19
. A s+8on. -//+-0 is -0so /ro1i.+. un.+r su2%s+8tion
() of S+8tion )&. S+8tion )&() is -0so s+t out
2+0o9<%
=() A s+8on. -//+-0 -g-inst t*+ .+8ision
un.+r su2%s+8tion ()) s*-00 0i+ 9it*in
nin+t3 .-3s fro, t*+ .-t+ on 9*i8* t*+
.+8ision s*ou0. *-1+ 2++n ,-.+ or 9-s
-8tu-003 r+8+i1+.4 9it* t*+ C+ntr-0
Infor,-tion Co,,ission or t*+ St-t+
Infor,-tion Co,,ission<
Pro1i.+. t*-t t*+ C+ntr-0 Infor,-tion
Co,,ission or t*+ St-t+ Infor,-tion
Co,,ission4 -s t*+ 8-s+ ,-3 2+4 ,-3 -.,it
t*+ -//+-0 -ft+r t*+ +C/ir3 of t*+ /+rio. of
nin+t3 .-3s if it is s-tisfi+. t*-t t*+
-//+00-nt 9-s /r+1+nt+. 23 suffi8i+nt 8-us+
fro, fi0ing t*+ -//+-0 in ti,+.L
:. S+8tion )&(:) .+-0s 9it* /ro8+.ur+ r+0-ting to
infor,-tion of - t*ir. /-rt3. S+8tions )&(A) -n.
)&(#) -r+ /ro8+.ur-0 in n-tur+. Un.+r S+8tion
)&($) t*+ /o9+r of t*+ Infor,-tion Co,,ission *-s
2++n s/+8ifi8-003 ,+ntion+.. T*os+ /o9+rs -r+ -s
fo00o9s<%
=)&($). In its .+8ision4 t*+ C+ntr-0
Infor,-tion Co,,ission or St-t+ Infor,-tion
Co,,ission4 -s t*+ 8-s+ ,-3 2+4 *-s t*+
/o9+r to4%%
(-) r+?uir+ t*+ /u20i8 -ut*orit3 to t-6+ -n3
su8* st+/s -s ,-3 2+ n+8+ss-r3 to s+8ur+
20
8o,/0i-n8+ 9it* t*+ /ro1isions of t*is A8t4
in80u.ing%%
(i) 23 /ro1i.ing -88+ss to infor,-tion4 if so
r+?u+st+.4 in - /-rti8u0-r for,I
(ii) 23 -//ointing - C+ntr-0 Pu20i8
Infor,-tion Offi8+r or St-t+ Pu20i8
Infor,-tion Offi8+r4 -s t*+ 8-s+ ,-3 2+I
(iii) 23 /u20is*ing 8+rt-in infor,-tion or
8-t+gori+s of infor,-tionI
(i1) 23 ,-6ing n+8+ss-r3 8*-ng+s to its
/r-8ti8+s in r+0-tion to t*+ ,-int+n-n8+4
,-n-g+,+nt -n. .+stru8tion of r+8or.sI
(1) 23 +n*-n8ing t*+ /ro1ision of tr-ining on
t*+ rig*t to infor,-tion for its offi8i-0sI
(1i) 23 /ro1i.ing it 9it* -n -nnu-0 r+/ort in
8o,/0i-n8+ 9it* 80-us+ (2) of su2%s+8tion ())
of s+8tion :I
(2) r+?uir+ t*+ /u20i8 -ut*orit3 to 8o,/+ns-t+
t*+ 8o,/0-in-nt for -n3 0oss or ot*+r .+tri,+nt
suff+r+.I
(8) i,/os+ -n3 of t*+ /+n-0ti+s /ro1i.+. un.+r
t*is A8tI
(.) r+7+8t t*+ -//0i8-tion.>
35. T*+ /ro8+.ur+ for *+-ring t*+ -//+-0s *-1+ 2++n
fr-,+. in +C+r8is+ of /o9+r un.+r 80-us+s (+) -n.
(f) of su2%s+8tion (!) of S+8tion !" of t*+ A8t.
T*+3 -r+ 8-00+. t*+ C+ntr-0 Infor,-tion Co,,ission
(A//+-0 Pro8+.ur+) Ru0+s4 !((A. T*+ /ro8+.ur+ of
21
.+8i.ing t*+ -//+-0s is 0-i. .o9n in Ru0+ A of t*+
s-i. Ru0+s.
T*+r+for+4 t*+ /ro8+.ur+ 8ont+,/0-t+. un.+r
S+8tion )$ -n. S+8tion )& of t*+ s-i. A8t is
su2st-nti-003 .iff+r+nt. T*+ n-tur+ of t*+ /o9+r
un.+r S+8tion )$ is su/+r1isor3 in 8*-r-8t+r
9*+r+-s t*+ /ro8+.ur+ un.+r S+8tion )& is -n
-//+00-t+ /ro8+.ur+ -n. - /+rson 9*o is -ggri+1+.
23 r+fus-0 in r+8+i1ing t*+ infor,-tion 9*i8* *+
*-s soug*t for 8-n on03 s++6 r+.r+ss in t*+ ,-nn+r
/ro1i.+. in t*+ st-tut+4 n-,+034 23 fo00o9ing t*+
/ro8+.ur+ un.+r S+8tion )&. T*is Court is4
t*+r+for+4 of t*+ o/inion t*-t S+8tion " r+-. 9it*
S+8tion )& /ro1i.+s - 8o,/0+t+ st-tutor3 ,+8*-nis,
to - /+rson 9*o is -ggri+1+. 23 r+fus-0 to r+8+i1+
infor,-tion. Su8* /+rson *-s to g+t t*+
infor,-tion 23 fo00o9ing t*+ -for+s-i. st-tutor3
/ro1isions. T*+ 8ont+ntion of t*+ -//+00-nt t*-t
infor,-tion 8-n 2+ -88+ss+. t*roug* S+8tion )$ is
8ontr-r3 to t*+ +C/r+ss /ro1ision of S+8tion )& of
t*+ A8t. It is 9+00 6no9n 9*+n - /ro8+.ur+ is 0-i.
.o9n st-tutori03 -n. t*+r+ is no 8*-00+ng+ to t*+
22
s-i. st-tutor3 /ro8+.ur+ t*+ Court s*ou0. not4 in
t*+ n-,+ of int+r/r+t-tion4 0-3 .o9n - /ro8+.ur+
9*i8* is 8ontr-r3 to t*+ +C/r+ss st-tutor3
/ro1ision. It is - ti,+ *onour+. /rin8i/0+ -s
+-r03 -s fro, t*+ .+8ision in T".3#% 1. T".3#%
J()$"#) ) C*. D. :!#K t*-t 9*+r+ st-tut+ /ro1i.+s
for so,+t*ing to 2+ .on+ in - /-rti8u0-r ,-nn+r it
8-n 2+ .on+ in t*-t ,-nn+r -0on+ -n. -00 ot*+r
,o.+s of /+rfor,-n8+ -r+ n+8+ss-ri03 for2i..+n.
T*is /rin8i/0+ *-s 2++n fo00o9+. 23 t*+ Ju.i8i-0
Co,,itt++ of t*+ Pri13 Coun8i0 in N"9(% Ah/"& 1.
E/,e%#% JAIR )&# PC !A())K -n. -0so 23 t*is
Court in Dee, Ch")& 1. !"!e #$ R"'"s!h") F JAIR
)&#) SC )A!"4 (/-r- &)K -n. -0so in !"!e #$ U.P.
1. ()0h"%" ()0h r+/ort+. in AIR )&#: SC A$
(/-r- $).
#. T*is Court -88+/ts t*+ -rgu,+nt of t*+ -//+00-nt
t*-t -n3 ot*+r 8onstru8tion 9ou0. r+n.+r t*+
/ro1ision of S+8tion )&($) of t*+ A8t tot-003
r+.un.-nt. It is on+ of t*+ 9+00 6no9n 8-nons of
int+r/r+t-tion t*-t no st-tut+ s*ou0. 2+
23
int+r/r+t+. in su8* - ,-nn+r -s to r+n.+r - /-rt
of it r+.un.-nt or sur/0us-g+.
". 5+ -r+ of t*+ 1i+9 t*-t S+8tions )$ -n. )& of t*+
A8t s+r1+ t9o .iff+r+nt /ur/os+s -n. 0-3 .o9n t9o
.iff+r+nt /ro8+.ur+s -n. t*+3 /ro1i.+ t9o
.iff+r+nt r+,+.i+s. On+ 8-nnot 2+ - su2stitut+
for t*+ ot*+r.
38. It ,-3 2+ t*-t so,+ti,+ in st-tut+ 9or.s -r+ us+.
23 9-3 of -2un.-nt 8-ution. T*+ s-,+ is not t*+
/osition *+r+. H+r+ - 8o,/0+t+03 .iff+r+nt
/ro8+.ur+ *-s 2++n +n-8t+. un.+r S+8tion )&. If
t*+ int+r/r+t-tion -.1-n8+. 23 t*+ 0+-rn+. 8ouns+0
for t*+ r+s/on.+nt is -88+/t+. in t*-t 8-s+
S+8tion )& 9i00 2+8o,+ un9or6-20+ -n. +s/+8i-003
S+8tion )&($) 9i00 2+ r+n.+r+. - sur/0us-g+. Su8*
-n int+r/r+t-tion is tot-003 o//os+. to t*+
fun.-,+nt-0 8-nons of 8onstru8tion. R+f+r+n8+ in
t*is 8onn+8tion ,-3 2+ ,-.+ to t*+ .+8ision of
t*is Court in As5()( :+/"% Gh#se ")& ")#!he% 1.
A%"6()&" B#se ")& ")#!he% F AIR )&A! SC #&. At
24
/-g+ "" of t*+ r+/ort C*i+f Justi8+ P-t-n7-0i
S-stri *-. 0-i. .o9n<
=It is not - soun. /rin8i/0+ of 8onstru8tion to
2rus* -si.+ 9or.s in - st-tut+ -s 2+ing
in-//osit+ sur/0us-g+4 if t*+3 8-n *-1+
-//ro/ri-t+ -//0i8-tion in 8ir8u,st-n8+s
8on8+i1-203 9it*in t*+ 8ont+,/0-tion of t*+
st-tut+>.
39. S-,+ 9-s t*+ o/inion of Justi8+ J-g-nn-.*-.-s in
R"# h(1 B"h"&+% ()0h ")& ")#!he% 1. !"!e #$
U.P. F AIR )&A SC &: -t /-g+ &"<
=It is in8u,2+nt on t*+ 8ourt to -1oi. -
8onstru8tion4 if r+-son-203 /+r,issi20+ on t*+
0-ngu-g+4 9*i8* 9ou0. r+n.+r - /-rt of t*+
st-tut+ .+1oi. of -n3 ,+-ning or -//0i8-tion>.
40. Justi8+ D-s @u/t- in J.:. C#!!#) ,())()0 *
;e"1()0 M(33s C#. L!&. 1. !"!e #$ U!!"% P%"&esh
")& #!he%s F AIR )&#) SC ))"( -t /-g+ ))":
1irtu-003 r+it+r-t+. t*+ s-,+ /rin8i/0+s in t*+
fo00o9ing 9or.s<
=t*+ 8ourts -09-3s /r+su,+ t*-t t*+ L+gis0-tur+
ins+rt+. +1+r3 /-rt t*+r+of for - /ur/os+ -n.
t*+ 0+gis0-ti1+ int+ntion is t*-t +1+r3 /-rt of
t*+ st-tut+ s*ou0. *-1+ +ff+8t>.
25
41. It is 9+00%6no9n t*-t t*+ 0+gis0-tur+ .o+s not
9-st+ 9or.s or s-3 -n3t*ing in 1-in or for no
/ur/os+. T*us - 8onstru8tion 9*i8* 0+-.s to
r+.un.-n83 of - /ortion of t*+ st-tut+ 8-nnot 2+
-88+/t+. in t*+ -2s+n8+ of 8o,/+00ing r+-sons. In
t*+ inst-nt 8-s+ t*+r+ is no 8o,/+00ing r+-son to
-88+/t t*+ 8onstru8tion /ut for9-r. 23 t*+
r+s/on.+nts.
:!. A/-rt fro, t*-t t*+ /ro8+.ur+ un.+r S+8tion )& of
t*+ A8t4 9*+n 8o,/-r+. to S+8tion )$4 *-s s+1+r-0
s-f+gu-r.s for /rot+8ting t*+ int+r+st of t*+
/+rson 9*o *-s 2++n r+fus+. t*+ infor,-tion *+ *-s
soug*t. S+8tion )&(A)4 in t*is 8onn+8tion4 ,-3 2+
r+f+rr+. to. S+8tion )&(A) /uts t*+ onus to
7ustif3 t*+ .+ni-0 of r+?u+st on t*+ infor,-tion
offi8+r. T*+r+for+4 it is for t*+ offi8+r to
7ustif3 t*+ .+ni-0. T*+r+ is no su8* s-f+gu-r. in
S+8tion )$. A/-rt fro, t*-t t*+ /ro8+.ur+ un.+r
S+8tion )& is - ti,+ 2oun. on+ 2ut no 0i,it is
26
/r+s8ri2+. un.+r S+8tion )$. So out of t*+ t9o
/ro8+.ur+s4 2+t9++n S+8tion )$ -n. S+8tion )&4 t*+
on+ un.+r S+8tion )& is ,or+ 2+n+fi8i-0 to -
/+rson 9*o *-s 2++n .+ni+. -88+ss to infor,-tion.
:. T*+r+ is -not*+r -s/+8t -0so. T*+ /ro8+.ur+ un.+r
S+8tion )& is -n -//+00-t+ /ro8+.ur+. A rig*t of
-//+-0 is -09-3s - 8r+-tur+ of st-tut+. A rig*t of
-//+-0 is - rig*t of +nt+ring - su/+rior foru, for
in1o6ing its -i. -n. int+r/osition to 8orr+8t
+rrors of t*+ inf+rior foru,. It is - 1+r3
1-0u-20+ rig*t. T*+r+for+4 9*+n t*+ st-tut+
8onf+rs su8* - rig*t of -//+-0 t*-t ,ust 2+
+C+r8is+. 23 - /+rson 9*o is -ggri+1+. 23 r+-son
of r+fus-0 to 2+ furnis*+. 9it* t*+ infor,-tion.
In t*-t 1i+9 of t*+ ,-tt+r t*is Court .o+s not
fin. -n3 +rror in t*+ i,/ugn+. 7u.g,+nt of t*+
Di1ision B+n8*. In t*+ /+nu0ti,-t+ /-r-gr-/* t*+
Di1ision B+n8* *-s .ir+8t+. t*+ Infor,-tion
Co,,ission+r4 M-ni/ur to .is/os+ of t*+ 8o,/0-ints
of t*+ r+s/on.+nt no.! in -88or.-n8+ 9it* 0-9 -s
+C/+.itious03 -s /ossi20+.
27
::. T*is Court4 t*+r+for+4 .ir+8ts t*+ -//+00-nts to
fi0+ -//+-0s un.+r S+8tion )& of t*+ A8t in
r+s/+8t of t9o r+?u+sts 23 t*+, for o2t-ining
infor,-tion 1i.+ -//0i8-tions .-t+. &.!.!((" -n.
)&.A.!((" 9it*in - /+rio. of four 9++6s fro,
to.-3. If su8* -n -//+-0 is fi0+. fo00o9ing t*+
st-tutor3 /ro8+.ur+ 23 t*+ -//+00-nts4 t*+ s-,+
s*ou0. 2+ 8onsi.+r+. on ,+rits 23 t*+ -//+00-t+
-ut*orit3 9it*out insisting on t*+ /+rio. of
0i,it-tion.
:A. Ho9+1+r4 on+ -s/+8t is sti00 r+?uir+. to 2+
80-rifi+.. T*is Court ,-6+s it 80+-r t*-t t*+
notifi8-tion .-t+. )A.)(.!((A 9*i8* *-s 2++n
2roug*t on r+8or. 23 t*+ 0+-rn+. 8ouns+0 for t*+
r+s/on.+nt 1i.+ I.A. No.) of !()) *-s 2++n /+rus+.
23 t*+ Court. B3 1irtu+ of t*+ s-i. notifi8-tion
issu+. un.+r S+8tion !: of t*+ A8t4 t*+ @o1+rn,+nt
of M-ni/ur *-s notifi+. t*+ +C+,/tion of 8+rt-in
org-ni;-tions of t*+ St-t+ @o1+rn,+nt fro, t*+
/ur1i+9 of t*+ s-i. A8t. T*is Court ,-6+s it 80+-r
28
t*-t t*os+ notifi8-tions 8-nnot -//03
r+tros/+8ti1+03. A/-rt fro, t*-t t*+ s-,+
+C+,/tion .o+s not 8o1+r -00+g-tions of 8orru/tion
-n. *u,-n rig*t 1io0-tions. T*+ rig*t of t*+
r+s/on.+nts to g+t t*+ infor,-tion in ?u+stion
,ust 2+ .+8i.+. on t*+ 2-sis of t*+ 0-9 -s it
stoo. on t*+ .-t+ 9*+n t*+ r+?u+st 9-s ,-.+. Su8*
rig*t 8-nnot 2+ .+f+-t+. on t*+ 2-sis of -
notifi8-tion if issu+. su2s+?u+nt03 to ti,+ 9*+n
t*+ 8ontro1+rs3 -2out t*+ rig*t to g+t infor,-tion
is /+n.ing 2+for+ t*+ Court. S+8tion !: of t*+ A8t
.o+s not *-1+ -n3 r+tros/+8ti1+ o/+r-tion.
T*+r+for+4 no notifi8-tion issu+. in +C+r8is+ of
t*+ /o9+r un.+r S+8tion !: 8-n 2+ gi1+n
r+tros/+8ti1+ +ff+8t -n. +s/+8i-003 so in 1i+9 of
t*+ o27+8t -n. /ur/os+ of t*+ A8t 9*i8* *-s -n
in*+r+nt *u,-n rig*t 8ont+nt.
:#. T*+ -//+-0s 9*i8* t*+ r+s/on.+nts *-1+ 2++n gi1+n
0i2+rt3 to fi0+4 if fi0+. 9it*in t*+ ti,+
s/+8ifi+.4 9i00 2+ .+8i.+. in -88or.-n8+ 9it*
S+8tion )& of t*+ A8t -n. -s +-r03 -s /ossi20+4
29
/r+f+r-203 9it*in t*r++ ,ont*s of t*+ir fi0ing.
5it* t*+s+ .ir+8tions 2ot* t*+ -//+-0s -r+
.is/os+. of.
:". T*+r+ 9i00 2+ no or.+r -s to 8osts.
.......................J.
(ASOM MUMAR @AN@ULN)
.......................J.
N+9 D+0*i (@NAN SUDHA MISRA)
D+8+,2+r )!4 !())
30