Right to information as a human right: The role of supreme court
- 2009
- p.609-618.
- Jul-Sep
The philosophy of law not only helps the individuals in realising their rights but fixes responsibility on the states too to be transparent in rendering its governance. In consonance with the above, for the first time in the history of mankind, the Government of Sweden ensuring the philosophical dimension of individual liberty to take part in the governance in a more cohesive manner enacted the Freedom of Information Act in 1766. It took 182 yeart to crystallise this right, as part and parcel of the human rights paradigm in the international arena. From then onwards, it became a self determinant right of the people and forced the nation-states to open their doors to supply information about the various aspect s of governance. In that direction, to adhere to the realm of good governance of the contemporary era, the Government of India too opened its cudgels bowing to the pressure of its judiciary which constantly reminded the state, to respect the right to information of its sovereigns and adhere to the dictum of the Constitution, that the active participation of people at all levels of governance is a must for a democratic Republic. Considering the significant role played by the judiciary, the article subtly analyses the role of the judiciary in transforming the right to information as a human right and address the remedial shortcomings of the Act. - Reproduced.