Revealing identity of examiners evaluating answer sheets in competitive exams under the RTI Act will lead to "dire consequences" and create "confusion and public unrest", the Supreme Court said, warning that unsuccessful candidates may try to seek revenge.
A Bench of Justices MY Eqbal and Arun Mishra observed this while partly allowing the appeal of the Kerala Public Service Commission against a 2011 Kerala high court order, directing it to make available all information, including the identity of the examiner.
"We would like to point out that disclosure of the identity of examiners is in the least interest of the general public and also any attempt to reveal the examiner's identity will give rise to dire consequences. Therefore, in our considered opinion revealing examiner's identity will only lead to confusion and public unrest. Hence, we are not inclined to agree with the decision of the Kerala high court with respect to the second question," it said. The Apex Court upheld the HC order that answer sheets and details of interview marks can be and should be provided to the candidate as it is not something which a public authority keeps under a fiduciary capacity.