Should the reasons for the failure of GSLV D-3 programme be disclosed under RTI?
12 Aug, 2012Background
The appellant submitted that GSLV D-3 launched by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) failed. He wanted to know that the reasons for its failure. The Public Information Officer (PIO) submitted that GSLV D-3 programme is a highly technical, confidential and sensitive programme of ISRO and the reasons of failure cannot be disclosed to the appellant in terms of section 8(1)(a) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, there shall be no obligation to give any citizen, information, disclosure of which would prejudicially affect the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security, strategic, scientific or economic interests of the State, relation with foreign State or lead to incitement of an offence; Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, there shall be no obligation to give any citizen, information, disclosure of which would prejudicially affect the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security, strategic, scientific or economic interests of the State, relation with foreign State or lead to incitement of an offence; of the Right to Information (RTI) Act.
View of CIC
The Central Information Commission (CIC) agreed that ISRO programme is highly sensitive and the reasons of failure cannot be placed in public domain under section 8(1)(a) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, there shall be no obligation to give any citizen, information, disclosure of which would prejudicially affect the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security, strategic, scientific or economic interests of the State, relation with foreign State or lead to incitement of an offence; Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, there shall be no obligation to give any citizen, information, disclosure of which would prejudicially affect the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security, strategic, scientific or economic interests of the State, relation with foreign State or lead to incitement of an offence; of the Right to Information (RTI) Act. Therefore, the denial of information was upheld.
Citation: Mr. Bernard D’cruz G v. ISRO in File No.CIC/LS/C/2011/003323
RTI Citation : RTIFI/2012/CIC/556
Click here to view original RTI order of Court / Information Commission