TN govt revokes controversial order exempting Law and Order dept from RTI Act after backlash - OrissaPOST

The Tamil Nadu government’s reversal of an order exempting the Public (Law and Order) Department from the RTI Act underscores the critical importance of maintaining transparency in security-related agencies. By retracting this controversial move, authorities acknowledged that shielding such departments from public scrutiny risks suppressing human rights and obscures accountability for police misconduct and custodial deaths. This incident highlights the tension between state security claims and the public’s right to information. The swift political backlash demonstrated that restricting RTI access sets a dangerous precedent, potentially eroding democratic oversight and enabling abuse of power within law enforcement structures. The episode reinforces the necessity of robust open data frameworks for civil society and journalists. Ensuring that security organizations remain subject to transparency laws is vital for fostering trust and preventing the normalization of secrecy, which is fundamental to a functioning democratic society.

Source: orissapost.com
Published on 2026-09-28