Can RTI be used to access a spouse’s salary records? The Rajasthan High Court says no – unless there is overriding public interest. The ruling draws a firm line between transparency and personal financial privacy – raising key questions in matrimonial disputes.
Husband Salary RTI Case: Justice Kuldeep Mathur of the Rajasthan High Court at Jodhpur dismissed a writ petition filed by a woman who sought salary details and pay slips of a government employee under the Right to Information Act.
The Court clearly held that such service records are “personal information” and cannot be disclosed casually.
The petitioner had applied under RTI seeking salary details for a specific period. The department rejected the request on the grounds that the information was personal in nature and related to a third party. The matter was then brought before the High Court.
After hearing the case and examining the material on record, Justice Kuldeep Mathur observed that the information sought was, “personal in nature, pertains to a third party, and is therefore exempted from disclosure under the provisions of the RTI Act.”
The Court further stated:
“This Court finds no illegality or infirmity in the action of the respondents in refusing to supply the information relating to a third party.”
The Court relied on the Supreme Court judgment in Girish Ramchandra Deshpande v. Central Information Commissioner & Ors., (2013) 1 SCC 212, where it was held that information relating to the performance and service matters of an employee is primarily between the employer and the employee and falls within the category of personal information.
In this case, the High Court found that the petitioner had not shown a greater public interest. Therefore, the employee’s salary details remained protected. The Court held that disclosure of such personal service information has no direct connection with public activity or public interest.
In view of these findings, Justice Kuldeep Mathur concluded that there was no merit in the writ petition and dismissed it. The stay petition was also disposed of.
Explanatory Table: Laws & Sections Involved
| Law / Provision | Purpose | Court’s Interpretation in Case |
| Article 226, Constitution of India | Empowers High Courts to issue writs for enforcement of rights | Petition filed seeking quashing of RTI orders and direction to provide information |
| Right to Information Act, 2005 | Grants citizens access to public authority information | Salary details held to be personal information of a third party and exempt from disclosure |
| RTI Exemption Principles (Personal Information doctrine) | Protects privacy of individuals where disclosure has no public interest | Court held salary/service details fall within personal information category |
| Supreme Court precedent — Girish Ramchandra Deshpande v. CIC (2013) 1 SCC 212 | Defines employee service records as personal information unless larger public interest exists | Relied upon to justify refusal of salary disclosure |
Case Details
- Case Title: Smt. Kanta Kumawat vs State of Rajasthan & Ors.
- Court: High Court of Judicature for Rajasthan at Jodhpur
- Case Number: S.B. Civil Writ Petition No. 7374/2025
- Bench: Hon’ble Mr. Justice Kuldeep Mathur
- Neutral Citation: 2026:RJ-JD:6212
- Date of Order: 03 February 2026
- Counsel for Petitioner: Mr. Gopal Lal Acharya
Key Takeaways
- A man’s salary and service details are private information and cannot be casually accessed under RTI without clear public interest.
- Personal employment records are matters between employer and employee, not tools to be used in personal disputes.
- RTI is meant for transparency in governance, not for exposing an individual’s financial details without justification.
- Privacy rights apply equally to men, and financial information cannot be demanded simply to gain leverage.
- Legal safeguards exist to prevent misuse of transparency laws against individuals, and men must be aware of these protections.
This Could Change Your Case-Get FREE Legal Advice-Click Here!
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the Indian courts and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of “ShoneeKapoor.com” or its affiliates. This article is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content provided is not legal advice, and viewers should not act upon this information without seeking professional counsel. Viewer discretion is advised.