Right to Request for Official Documents

Unquestionably, the right to freedom of expression involves the right to receive information and public documents from government authorities and other organisations performing a public function. This covers asking for one’s examination answer scripts,¹ to matters covered under official secrecy laws if sufficient public benefit and interest can be shown in such matters.² However, this right cannot override the right to privacy; for instance, personal information of public officials which is not relevant to the public cannot be sought under this right.³

1. Central Board of Secondary Education v. Bandhopadhyay, (2011) 8 SCC 497 [↩]
2. Yashwant Sinha v. Central Bureau of Investigation, (2019) 6 SCC 1 [↩]
3.  R.K. Jain v. Union of India and Another, (2013) 14 SCC 794 [↩]