Another win for Right to information

This is interesting because High Court of Karnataka has upheld State Information Commission’s decision that information under control of governor’s office must be disclosed under RTI.  This is another step in favour of right to information.

http://expressbuzz.com/cities/bangalore/hc-blow-to-governor%E2%80%99s-office/178865.html

04 Jun 2010 06:16:46 AM IST

BANGALORE: The Karnataka High Court on Thursday directed the under secretary to the Governor to provide a city-based advocate information about the affidavits in which JD(S) MLAs had extended their unconditional support to the BJP to help it form the government.

Vijaykumar had filed an application under the Right to Information (RTI) Act in the Governor’s office and sought copies of the affidavits. In January 2008, the Governor’s office had rejected the application on the ground that the information was confidential.

Vijaykumar had then filed an appeal before the Information Commission and won a favourable order. The under secretary to the Governor filed a petition in the HC in May 2008, challenging the order.

On Thursday, the High Court ordered the Governor’s office to furnish the information to the advocate. It also noted that the documents should not be misused. Advocate General Ashok Harnahalli stated that the Governor’s office would provide the information to the applicant within four weeks.

The JD(S) MLAs had filed affidavits before the then Governor pledging their support to the BJP led government for 20 months. They had then withdrawn support to the BS Yeddyurappa government.