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Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology B.Com.LL.B - B.Com.LL.B. (Honours) SAL1585 Right To Information Syllabus

Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology School of Law

SAL1585 RIGHT TO INFORMATION
L T P Credit Total Marks
4 1 0 4 100

UNIT 1 – HISTORICAL BACKGROUND AND EVOLUTION 15Hrs.
Right to Information before Right to Information Act, 2005 – Significance in democracy -Constitutional basis –
Supreme Court on right to information – Historical background Technological Evolution – Right to Information Act – salient
features – Recent Amendments

UNIT 2 – PUBLIC AUTHORITIES 18Hrs.
Right to information – Obligations of public authorities – Public information officers – Request for information –
Disposal of request – Exemptions – Grounds for rejection to access in certain cases – third party information – Obligations of
public authorities

UNIT 3 – CENTRAL AND STATE COMMISSION AND OTHER RELATED LAWS 18Hrs.
Constitution of Central Information Commission – Terms of Office and Conditions of service – Removal of
Information commissioner – State Information Commission – Powers and functions of Commission – Complaints – Appeals –
Penalties.
OTHER RELATED LAWS: The Official Secrets Act, 1923 – The Public Records Act, 1993 – The Public Records
Rules, 1997 – The Fire 1952 – The Commission of Inquiry (Central) Rules, 1972.

UNIT 4 – RIGHT TO INFORMATION & PREVENTION OF CPORRUPTION 17Hrs.
Public servants – Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 – Lokpal/ Lokayukta and their nexus with Right to Information
Act in preventing corruption

UNIT 5 – RIGHT TO INFORMATION AND HUMAN RIGHTS 17Hrs.
Right to Privacy v right to information – Principles of Confidentiality – Human Rights Act – Right to know in United
States, United Kingdom – Relevant international instruments. Max.85Hrs.

COURSE OUTCOME:
On completion of the course the students will be able to
CO1: This course helps the students to understand national and international factors led to frame this legislation and also
gives an overview about the objective of the Act.
CO2: The detailed analysis of the functions of the Authorities and their Obligations will give a clear picture to the students
regarding the Act.
CO3: This Course also makes the students understand the challenges in functioning and other related issues pertaining to
this Act.
CO4: Gives a brief idea about Human Rights Perspective in connection with the Act.
CO5: This Course helps in understanding about its relation and significance in preventing Corruption
CO6: This Course will equip the students with the required Professional Skills

TEXT/REFERENCE BOOKS
1. SairamBhat, Right to Information, EBH publsihers, 2012.
2. Das, P. K. Universal’s Handbook on the Right to Information Act, 2005. New Delhi: Universal Law Publishing Co.,
2006.
3. Ryder, Rodney D. Right to Information: Law, Policy and Practice. New Delhi: Wadhwa and Company Nagpur, 2006.
4. Birkinshaw, Patrick. Freedom of Information. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2010.
5. Sridhar, Madhabhushi, Right to Information, Law and Practice, LexisNexis, 2007.

END SEMESTER EXAMINATION QUESTION PAPER PATTERN
Max. Marks:100 Exam Duration: 3 Hrs.
PART A: 6 Questions to be answered out of 8 questions and each question carries 5 Marks 30 Marks
PART B: 4 questions to be answered out of 8 questions (Internal Choice) and each question carries 10 Marks 40 Marks
PART C: 2 Questions/Problems to be answered out of 4 questions/problems and each carries 15 marks 30 Marks