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The Central Information Commission (CIC) was told by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) that it can’t declassify files related to Subhash Chandra Bose citing Section 8(1)(a) of the RTI Act. The reason shown was ‘the relations with foreign countries will be affected adversely’. Its order was reserved by the CIC in the matter.

On Wednesday, the PMO admitted during the hearing before the CIC that it has files concerning Bose but no specifics were given and submitted. Keeping relations with foreign countries in mind, they could not be declassified.

Section 8(1)(a) of the RTI Act allows the government to withhold the information, disclosure of which would prejudicially affect the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security, strategic, scientific or economic interests of the state, relations with foreign states or lead to incitement of an offence.

Subhash Agrawal, RTI activist, had sought declassification of documents concerning Bose. He made a strong plea before the commission that the act allows the disclosure of exempted records incase public interest prevail over the harm to protected interests. Agrawal’s point is that foreign relations will not be affected as Netaji allegedly went missing 70 years ago.

-Sumana