Kerala High Court seeks clarification on excluding VACB sections from RTI Act
GS2Polity · Governance · IR· Fundamental rights, DPSP & duties· Prelims + Mains·
Transparency vs. Investigative Integrity: a GS2 case study on the scope of RTI in security agencies.
Why in news
The Kerala High Court sought clarification from the State Government regarding an order that excludes specific sections (T1 and T2) of the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) from the RTI Act.
Background
M. Syam Kumar, is reviewing the exclusion of VACB sections. Petitioners P.K. Muralikrishnan and Joy Kaitharath challenged the order, asserting that the VACB functions as an investigative police agency.
Facts for Prelims
- BodyVACB: Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau is the agency whose sections were excluded from RTI.
- FactSections T1 and T2 of the VACB were specifically excluded from the RTI Act by the State government.
- PlaceKerala High Court is the judicial body seeking clarification on the matter.
Prelims practice question
Which specific sections of the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) were excluded from the RTI Act by the State government?
- (a)A1 and A2
- (b)X1 and X2
- (c)S1 and S2
- (d)T1 and T2
Show answer
Answer: (d) T1 and T2 — The note specifies that sections T1 and T2 of the VACB were specifically excluded from the RTI Act.
For Mains
Q. Examine the tension between the Right to Information and the operational integrity of investigative agencies like the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau.
Dimensions to cover in your answer
- Transparency vs. Integrity: Balancing public's right to know with the need to protect ongoing investigations from interference.
- Institutional Autonomy: Determining the extent to which investigative police agencies can be exempted from statutory transparency mandates.
Keywords: Right to Information · Transparency · Investigative Integrity · Judicial Review · Public Accountability
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This note is generated automatically from SatyaDheesh's news feed and mapped to the UPSC CSE syllabus. Check facts against the original report or PIB before using them in an answer.