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Chhattisgarh HC rules sacked employee can access inquiry files under RTI
✍️ The Times of India
🗓 10 Sep 2026, 06:36 PM
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The Chhattisgarh High Court held that a dismissed employee is entitled to obtain the documents related to his service inquiry under the Right to Information Act.
In a recent judgment, the Chhattisgarh High Court ruled that a government employee who was terminated is entitled to receive the inquiry records pertaining to his dismissal under the Right to Information Act. The court observed that the inquiry files form part of the information held by a public authority and therefore fall within the ambit of the RTI law.
The employee had filed an RTI application seeking the documents, which were initially denied by the department on the ground of confidentiality. The bench rejected that claim, stating that the public's right to know outweighs any alleged secrecy unless the information is expressly exempted by law.
Legal experts noted that the decision reinforces transparency in administrative proceedings and sets a precedent for other service‑related RTI requests. It also signals that public bodies must be prepared to disclose procedural records when lawfully demanded.
The ruling may prompt similar petitions from former staff across the state, urging authorities to make inquiry files accessible, thereby strengthening accountability in public service management.
The employee had filed an RTI application seeking the documents, which were initially denied by the department on the ground of confidentiality. The bench rejected that claim, stating that the public's right to know outweighs any alleged secrecy unless the information is expressly exempted by law.
Legal experts noted that the decision reinforces transparency in administrative proceedings and sets a precedent for other service‑related RTI requests. It also signals that public bodies must be prepared to disclose procedural records when lawfully demanded.
The ruling may prompt similar petitions from former staff across the state, urging authorities to make inquiry files accessible, thereby strengthening accountability in public service management.