Advocates:
AMIT SHARMA

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JUDGMENT

REPORTABLE

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA

CIVIL ORIGINAL JURISDICTION

WRIT

PETITION

(CIVIL)

NO.

210

of

2012

Namit Sharma

… Petitioner

Versus

Union of India

… Respondent

J U D G M

E N T

Swatanter

Kumar,

J.

1.

The value of any freedom is determined by the extent to

which the citizens are able to enjoy such freedom. Ours is a

constitutional democracy and it is axiomatic that citizens have

the right to know about the affairs of the Government which,

having been elected by them, seeks to formulate some policies of

governance aimed at their welfare. However, like any other

freedom, this freedom also has limitations.

It is a settled

proposition that the Right to Freedom of Speech and Expression

enshrined under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution of India (for

1

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JUDGMENT

short ‘the Constitution’) encompasses the right to impart and

receive information. The Right to Information has been stated to

be one of the important facets of proper governance. With the

passage of time, this concept has not only developed in the field of

law, but also has attained new dimensions in it