‘Bring CBI under RTI’s ambit’

City-based RTI activists have written to the Prime Minister opposing the central government’s move to exclude the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) from the purview of the Right to Information (RTI) Act.

City-based RTI activists have written to the Prime Minister opposing the central government’s move to exclude the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) from the purview of the Right to Information (RTI) Act.

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‘CBI is investigating cases against some of the richest and most influential individuals in our country. Citizens need to keep a watchful eye on CBI, so that these cases are not soft-pedaled or subverted,’ the letter read. The Centre issued a notification on June 9 exempted the CBI, the country’s premier investigating agency, from providing information under the RTI Act.

GR Vora, a Sion-based RTI activist, said: “CBI works under the government. The ruling party would get a free hand with investigations.”

Activists feel that RTI’s motive to maintain transparency and accountability would be damaged by excluding CBI from its ambit. According to the section 24 of the Act, security and intelligence agencies can be excluded from RTI’s purview.