Delhi High Court blocks RTI access to PM CARES Fund details
The Delhi High Court has ruled that the PM CARES Fund is not a public authority under the Right to Information (RTI) Act. This decision means RTI requests seeking details about the fund's care and management will no longer be legally enforceable. The judgment follows a plea demanding transparency over the fund's privacy settings. The case began when a petitioner filed an RTI request for information on how the PM CARES Fund was being used. They argued that citizens had a right to know how such funds were managed. The court, however, disagreed and stated that disclosing such details could violate the privacy of individuals involved. The High Court stressed that while transparency remains important, it must be weighed against privacy rights. It also clarified that the PM CARES Fund does not fall under the RTI Act's definition of a public authority. This ruling now sets a precedent for future RTI requests involving similar funds. The petitioner's lawyer indicated they would review the judgment carefully. They left open the possibility of filing an appeal if necessary. The decision confirms that RTI requests regarding the PM CARES Fund will not be processed under the law. It also establishes a legal framework for balancing transparency with privacy in cases involving large funds. Future RTI applications on similar matters will now follow this precedent.
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