The Statesman: Uttarakhand: Thursday, 7Th May
2026.
Citizens in Uttarakhand will now have the right to obtain information about corrupt IAS officers. This was made possible following an order from the State Information Commission with a rider: the department can withhold information on corrupt IAS officials if doing so obstructs investigation.”
In a significant ruling,
the State Information Commission stated on Tuesday that citizens have every
right to seek information under Right to Information (RTI) Act if a case of
corruption is registered against public servants including IAS officers. Commission
further directed that RTI is applicatble even if the state government has
granted permission for a probe against any bureaucrat.
The Commission, however, clarified that information pertaining to a case may be withheld if it obstructs the probe. According to the Commission order officers concerned may refuse to disclose such information.
State Information Commissioner Kushala Nand was hearing an appeal filed by Sanjeev Chaturvedi regarding the maintenance of public accountability. It stated, “If a corruption case against a public servant is filed in court, information about it can be made available to common citizens. However, the information can be withheld if its disclosure is likely to impede an active investigation.”
The Commission’s order also included a rider stating that “file notings” are part of the department’s proceedings and their disclosure to the public was unjustified.
It’s significant that until now, information regarding matters related to public servants could not be made available to the public. This was done mainly to allow them to work free from any pressure; sharing details could lead to unleashing unwanted influence obstructing their official duties. The fresh ruling by the Commission will enable the public to easily access information about corrupt public servants in the state.
Citizens in Uttarakhand will now have the right to obtain information about corrupt IAS officers. This was made possible following an order from the State Information Commission with a rider: the department can withhold information on corrupt IAS officials if doing so obstructs investigation.”
The Commission, however, clarified that information pertaining to a case may be withheld if it obstructs the probe. According to the Commission order officers concerned may refuse to disclose such information.
State Information Commissioner Kushala Nand was hearing an appeal filed by Sanjeev Chaturvedi regarding the maintenance of public accountability. It stated, “If a corruption case against a public servant is filed in court, information about it can be made available to common citizens. However, the information can be withheld if its disclosure is likely to impede an active investigation.”
The Commission’s order also included a rider stating that “file notings” are part of the department’s proceedings and their disclosure to the public was unjustified.
It’s significant that until now, information regarding matters related to public servants could not be made available to the public. This was done mainly to allow them to work free from any pressure; sharing details could lead to unleashing unwanted influence obstructing their official duties. The fresh ruling by the Commission will enable the public to easily access information about corrupt public servants in the state.
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