Supreme Court’s Observations
- The ruling reaffirmed that the “Right to Know” is a basic right under Article 19(1)(a) (Freedom of Speech and Expression) and Article 21 (Right to Life and Personal Liberty).
Significance of the “Right to Know”
- The Right to Know is essential to enable citizens to:
- Participate in public discourse and democratic processes,
- Access justice effectively, and
- Hold public authorities accountable.
- The judgment reinforced that public discussion and criticism of courts is a legitimate aspect of democracy and must not be equated with contempt without careful consideration.
Constitutional Significance of the Right to Know
- Under Article 19(1)(a) – Freedom of Speech and Expression: This article ensures the right to express opinions through speech, writing, and other media. As per the Supreme Court, this includes the Right to Know about:
- Government activities
- Public decision-making
- Court proceedings
- The Court reiterated that freedom of expression covers the right to receive information, which is vital for democracy.
- Under Article 21 – Right to Life and Personal Liberty: The Right to Know is also implicit in Article 21, as it enables citizens to:
- Access justice
- Participate in governance
- Live with dignity through informed decision-making
- The Supreme Court in the Menka Gandhi Case (1978) expanded Article 21 to include a broad range of rights, now including access to truthful public information:
- Right to live with dignity,
- Right to livelihood,
- Right to privacy,
- Right to shelter,
- Right to a clean environment,
- Right to information (including Right to Know).
