Tamil Nadu government revokes RTI exemption for Law and Order Department

The Tamil Nadu government has revoked a controversial order that sought to exempt the Public (Law and Order) Department from the Right to Information (RTI) Act. The original notification, issued on September 21, had classified the department as an intelligence and security organization under Section 24(4) of the Act.

The exemption would have restricted public access to sensitive records, including information on police custody deaths, custodial torture, communal and caste clashes, political agitations, and police investigation reports. It also would have covered records regarding monthly law and order reviews and materials prepared for parliamentary questions.

The decision faced immediate and intense backlash from political allies and opposition leaders. VCK president Thol Thirumavalavan described the move as “highly shocking,” while Congress MP Karti Chidambaram stated it “does not set a good precedent” for democratic accountability. Following the widespread criticism, the government swiftly rescinded the order within hours of its publication in the Gazette.