Cases against police officers out of RTI ambit

Gangadhar S Patil; Express News Service: 30 Oct 2010

CHENNAI: Information pertaining to allegations and enquiry against any State police officer will not be provided even under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, according to a Government Order (GO) issued early this month.

The State Government in its October 1 order, a copy of which is available with Express, has exempted 'Secret and Confidential Section' of the office of Director General of Police from the ambit of the RTI Act. But, the GO had not cited any details of the records coming under 'Secret and Confidential Section'.

Talking to Express, a senior police official said the records pertaining to enquiry and allegations against any police official are secret and confidential records, and such information will not be furnished under RTI.

Asked what prompted the government to issue such an order, he said he was not aware of any particular reason. The GO was issued following a report filed by the DGP's office requesting exemption under RTI.

The issue holds significance in the light of an RTI plea filed 40 days before the issue of the order, seeking details of cases pending against IPS officers of Tamil Nadu cadre. The plea was filed with the DGP office on August 16.

As per Section 24 of the RTI Act, the State Government can exempt establishment dealing with intelligence and security from time to time by issuing a notification.