Dilution of RTI Act undermining Constitutional guarantees, say legal experts

Legal experts warn that the dilution of the RTI Act threatens Constitutional guarantees, emphasising the need for integrity in court proceedings.

There has been a steady dilution of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005, which is significantly undermining Constitutional guarantees, legal experts said at the ‘Justice Unplugged: Shaping the Future’ of Law conclave organised by the VIT School of Law, VIT Chennai, in association with The Hindu, in Delhi on Saturday (February 28, 2026).

In a panel discussion on ‘Fundamental Rights in the Digital Age: The Constitution’s Response to Emerging Trends’, Gopal Sankaranarayanan, senior advocate, Supreme Court; Shadan Farasat, senior advocate, Supreme Court; M.S. Sharmila, Professor of Law, VIT School of Law, VIT Chennai, were in conversation with Aaratrika Bhaumik, Senior Sub Editor, The Hindu.

Also Read: Justice Unplugged 2026 Highlights

“Over the last decade, the RTI Act has become largely ineffectual. For all practical purposes, information that implicates Central agencies is rarely forthcoming. In the past 10 years, it has been in a ‘dead phase’. When it was enacted, it was a transformative piece of legislation for democratic accountability,” Mr. Farasat said.

‘First duty is to fight the system’: Advocates, judges tell law students to put Constitution first

Accessibility in courts remains a challenge, says lawyer