Importance Of Right To Know Essay

‘Right to Know’ – a Fundamental Right

One of the basic features of a flourished democratic nation is the bestowing of right to know on its citizen. Article 19 (1) (a) of the Constitution of India impliedly covers ‘right to know’. In S.P. Gupta v. Union of India , it was held that right to know is implicit in the right of free speech and expression. Disclosure of information regarding functioning of the Government must be the rule. The right to freedom of speech and expression includes the right to receive and impart information. It includes the right not only to give but also to acquire and import ideas and information from others about matters of common interest i.e. Article 19 (1) (a) includes right to be informed.

The tremendous rise of corruption in government departments has made it sine qua non to authorise people with the right to know. The ‘right to know’ is also explicitly recognised in Union of India v. Association for Democratic Reforms & Anr. , where the Supreme Court directed the Election Commission of India to issue necessary orders, in exercise of its power under Article 324 of the Constitution, to call for information on affidavit from each candidate seeking election to the Parliament or a State Legislature as a necessary part of his nomination paper furnishing therein information relating to his

But through numerous judicial pronouncements of the Hon’ble Supreme Court and various High Courts, today it is well settled that right to privacy is integral part of Article 21 of our Constitution. Article 21 of the Constitution enshrines the right to life and personal liberty. It is one of the most basic Fundamental Right of the Constitution. Article 21 has proved to be a very fruitful source of rights of the people. By the term ‘life’ as is used here something more is meant than mere animal existence. Denial of these rights is denying Article 21 in its