Madras HC dismisses petition on exemption of CBI from RTI Act

"Chief Justice of the High Court in his judgement has pronounced that the notification issued by the Centre exempting CBI from RTI U/s 24 is valid on the grounds of national security and intelligence. The Court saw no justification in interfering in the matter," a CBI spokesperson said in a statement.

Government on June 9 had brought the CBI, NIA and Natgrid under second schedule of section 24 of the RTI Act which exempts security and intelligence organisations from disclosing any information under the transparency except in cases where allegations of human rights violation or sexual are made.

The notification was issued after a committee of secretaries (CoS) took the decision in May. The panel, headed by the Cabinet Secretary on May 14, had given the nod to the CBI's request that it should be exempt from providing information under the RTI Act.