Section 21 of The Right to Information Act, 2005
No suit, prosecution or other legal proceeding shall lie against any person for anything which is in good faith done or intended to be done under this Act or any rule made thereunder.
Summary
- This section protects government officers from legal actions if they do their work honestly.
- No one can file a lawsuit or start a prosecution against an officer for actions done in good faith.
- This safety applies to anything done or intended to be done under the information law or its rules.
Practical examples
FAQ
1. What does Section 21 of the Right to Information Act do?
Section 21 of the Right to Information Act, 2005 protects officers from lawsuits, prosecutions, or other legal proceedings for anything they do or intend to do in good faith under the Act.
2. Can I sue an officer under the Right to Information Act, 2005 if they make an honest mistake?
No, under Section 21 of the Right to Information Act, 2005, you cannot sue or prosecute an officer if their mistake was made in good faith while performing their duties under the law.
3. Does the legal protection in Section 21 of the Right to Information Act cover rules made under it?
Yes, Section 21 of the Right to Information Act, 2005 covers actions done in good faith under both the Act itself and any rules created under the Act.
Test yourself
Q1.Under Section 21 of the Right to Information Act, 2005, what is the key condition required to protect an officer from a lawsuit?
Q2.Which of the following legal proceedings is barred under Section 21 of the Right to Information Act, 2005 for actions done in good faith?
Q3.Under Section 21 of the Right to Information Act, 2005, who is protected from legal proceedings?
Q4.If an officer acts maliciously and intentionally hides public records, can they claim protection under Section 21 of the Right to Information Act, 2005?