The Delhi High Court has ruled that the income details of a spouse cannot be sought under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, stating that such information is personal and has no bearing on the public at large.
Court's Observation
A division bench of the Delhi High Court observed that the intent of the RTI Act could not have been to allow disclosure of individuals' personal information that does not affect the public interest. The court emphasized that the right to information is not absolute and must be balanced with the right to privacy.
Case Background
The ruling came in response to a petition filed by a man who sought the income details of his wife under the RTI Act. The Central Information Commission (CIC) had earlier directed the disclosure, which was challenged by the wife in the High Court.
Legal Implications
This decision reinforces the privacy rights of individuals under the RTI framework. The court clarified that personal information, including income details of a spouse, is exempt from disclosure unless it involves a larger public interest. Legal experts believe this judgment will set a precedent for future cases involving personal data and RTI requests.
Reactions
Privacy advocates have welcomed the ruling, stating that it protects individuals from unwarranted intrusion into their personal lives. However, transparency activists argue that the judgment could be misused to withhold information that should be accessible in the public interest.
The court also noted that the RTI Act was enacted to promote transparency and accountability in public authorities, not to settle personal disputes or grievances between individuals.
