The Tamil Nadu Information Commission has directed the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) to provide details of corruption cases registered against MPs and MLAs in Tamil Nadu to a petitioner who sought the information under the Right to Information Act, 2005.
In his petition sent to the State’s anti-corruption agency on November 19, 2024, Aadithya Cholan of Chennai had sought details of corruption cases registered against MPs/MLAs in the State. After his plea was rejected, he filed an appeal before the First Appellate Authority.
The petitioner also filed a Writ Petition in the Madras High Court seeking relief. Disposing of the case on July 18, 2025, the court directed the Tamil Nadu Information Commission to consider the appeal on merits and pass orders in accordance with law. Acting on the court ruling, the commission summoned both parties and conducted an inquiry.
‘Detrimental to safety’
While Mr. Cholan contended that incorrect reply was given to him, the PIO/Superintendent of Police, DVAC, stood by the earlier reply denying the information. It said the information sought could disproportionately divert the resources of the agency or would be detrimental to the safety of the records.
He invoked provisions under Section 7(9) of the RTI Act which stated: “An information shall ordinarily be provided in the form in which it is sought unless it would disproportionately divert the resources of the public authority or would be detrimental to the safety or preservation of the record in question.”
After hearing both sides, State Chief Information Commissioner Md. Shakeel Akhter said the denial of information was not acceptable. He directed the DVAC to provide a modified/correct reply to the petitioner as per official records within one month and report compliance to the commission.
According to police sources, about 20 cases booked under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, by the DVAC against sitting and former elected representatives and were pending in different stages of investigation or trial.
Published – November 18, 2025 12:43 am IST
