Tamil Nadu Government Withdraws Controversial RTI Exemption for Law and Order Department Following Backlash
- Exemption Withdrawal: The government formally rescinded GO Ms.No.57, which had previously classified the Law and Order department as an intelligence and security organization under Section 24 of the RTI Act.
- Public Criticism: Prominent anti-corruption groups like Arappor Iyakkam and political figures including CPI(M) MP Su Venkatesan condemned the move as a direct contradiction to the administration's transparency promises.
- Scope of Records: The department in question manages sensitive public interest data, including reports on custodial deaths, police conduct, human rights complaints, and political protests.
The Context & Background
This incident follows a pattern of policy reversals by the new TVK government, which some observers characterize as a tactical approach to gauging public reaction to contentious administrative decisions. The department's broad mandate, which includes handling inquiries into police firing and communal violence, made the attempt to shield it from public scrutiny particularly politically sensitive.
Why it matters:The swift reversal highlights the tension between administrative secrecy and the public's right to information in a democracy. By attempting to shield a department that oversees police conduct and civil liberties, the government risked its core anti-corruption mandate, demonstrating that public pressure remains a vital check on state power in Tamil Nadu.
Original Sources & Coverage (2)
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