Exemption from disclosure under RTI cannot be claimed without Cogent Reasons

Amit Kumar Shrivastava Vs Central Information Commission  (Delhi High Court) Where a public authority takes recourse to Section 8 (1) (h) of the RTI Act to withhold information, the burden is on the public authority to show that in what manner disclosure of such information could impede the investigation. The word ‘impede’ would mean anything that would hamper or interfere with the investigation or prosecution of the offender.  A perusal of the impugned order passed by the CIC shows that it relies upon the other orders passed by the Coordinate Benches of the CIC. It notes that in crimina...