Journal of Legal Research by ILRF · Vol. 1, Issue 8 (October 2026)
Curtailing Transparency: A Critical Analysis of Section 8(1)(h) of the Right to Information Act, 2005
Rishank Mehrotra | 3rd Year, B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) | Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University, Visakhapatnam
Abstract
Asks whether the RTI exemption in s.8(1)(h), for information that would impede investigation or prosecution, unduly limits access. Using doctrinal analysis and a UK/US/Canada/Australia comparison, it pins the problem on three things: no likelihood standard, indifference to how far an investigation has got, and a dormant public-interest override. It proposes a stage-sensitive harm test, reasoned refusals backed by confidential indices, a recorded public-interest check, and a shorter disclosure horizon.
Article Information
- Journal
- Journal of Legal Research by ILRF
- ISSN
- 3139-7107 (Online)
- Volume
- 1 (I)
- Issue
- 8 — October 2026
- Length
- 25 Pages
- Published
- 2 November 2026
- Publisher
- India Legal Research Foundation
- DOI
- Not yet assigned
How to Cite
Rishank Mehrotra, “Curtailing Transparency: A Critical Analysis of Section 8(1)(h) of the Right to Information Act, 2005”, Journal of Legal Research by ILRF, Vol. 1, Issue 8 (October 2026), ISSN 3139-7107.