The Tamil Nadu government on Sunday revoked an order that had exempted the Public (Law and Order) Department from the Right to Information Act, 2005.
The Human Resources Management Department issued a fresh order stating that Government Order Ms. No. 57, dated September 21, 2026, which granted the exemption under Section 24(4) of the RTI Act, “stands revoked.”
Editorial Insight
Key Highlights
Important points readers should notice.
Issue/Event: Tamil Nadu revoked its RTI exemption order for the Public (Law and Order) Department.
Location: Tamil Nadu.
Authority/Organisation: Tamil Nadu Human Resources Management Department.
Action Taken: Government Order Ms. No. 57 dated September 21 was revoked.
Impact: The specific RTI exemption created through that order no longer remains in force.
The September 21 notification had classified the Public (Law and Order) Department as an “Intelligence and Security Organisation” under Section 24(4) of the RTI Act. The move would have restricted access to certain information handled by the department through RTI applications.
The matters covered by the earlier order included information concerning political agitations, student and farmers’ protests, communal and caste-related clashes, police torture, custodial deaths and reports related to police firing and inquiries.
The exemption drew criticism from political parties and transparency advocates. Reports said the government subsequently withdrew the order on September 27.
Editorial Analysis
Why This Matters
The reversal concerns public access to information relating to government law-and-order administration. The episode also highlights how government notifications affecting RTI access can trigger political and public scrutiny.
The development comes under the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam-led government headed by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay. The withdrawal means the specific exemption created through the September 21 government order no longer remains in force.
