Karnataka High Court Holds That Copy of Passport Cannot Be Given To Third Party Under RTI Act

The Karnataka High Court held that passport information of an accused under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act is personal and cannot be disclosed under the RTI Act.

Justice Suraj Govindaraj observed that disclosure could endanger the accused’s life and safety. The Court noted an exemption under Sections 8(1)(h) and 24(4), as information impeding investigation or about Special Branch units falls outside the Act’s applicability.

The petitioner had sought the accused’s passport and lookout circular. The Court rejected the petition, clarifying that procedural access could be sought in the NI Act proceedings. 

[Praskash Chimanlal Sheth v. State of Karnataka]