The Hindu: New Delhi: Saturday, 02 May 2026.
Income details of an individual do not fall under the purview of ‘larger public interest’, thus remains exempted from disclosure under the RTI Act, the court rules
The Delhi High Court has
ruled that a man’s net taxable income details cannot be disclosed to his
estranged wife under the RTI Act, holding that income tax returns are personal
information exempt from disclosure.
Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav passed the order on April 28 while hearing a petition filed by a man challenging the July 22, 2021 decision of the Central Information Commission ordering disclosure of details of his net taxable income for the financial year 2007-08 and onwards.
The case stemmed from an ongoing matrimonial dispute, with the wife seeking maintenance and arguing that she had a legitimate interest in knowing her husband’s income details to pursue her claim.
The husband contended that the information sought was personal and exempt from disclosure under the RTI Act, which bars release of personal information unrelated to public interest, or that would cause an unwarranted invasion of privacy.
The court ruled that the information directed to be disclosed, by way of the CIC order, does not fall under the exception of “larger public interest”. It said the RTI Act was enacted to promote transparency.
Income details of an individual do not fall under the purview of ‘larger public interest’, thus remains exempted from disclosure under the RTI Act, the court rules
Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav passed the order on April 28 while hearing a petition filed by a man challenging the July 22, 2021 decision of the Central Information Commission ordering disclosure of details of his net taxable income for the financial year 2007-08 and onwards.
The case stemmed from an ongoing matrimonial dispute, with the wife seeking maintenance and arguing that she had a legitimate interest in knowing her husband’s income details to pursue her claim.
The husband contended that the information sought was personal and exempt from disclosure under the RTI Act, which bars release of personal information unrelated to public interest, or that would cause an unwarranted invasion of privacy.
The court ruled that the information directed to be disclosed, by way of the CIC order, does not fall under the exception of “larger public interest”. It said the RTI Act was enacted to promote transparency.
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