According to Supreme Court order revealing the name of examiners evaluating answer sheets in competitive exams under the RTI Act could lead to "dire consequences" and "create confusion and public interest," as unsuccessful candidates may try to seek revenge.
The bench comprising justices M Y Eqbal and Arun Mishra, while partially allowing the appeal of 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 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, according to PTI.
SC upheld the Kerala High Court order, which said that answer sheets and the details of the 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.
It further said that examinees are entitled to get scanned copies of their answer sheet of the written test and details of the interview marks under the transparency law.
The bench observed that practice of disclosing marks and answer sheets will ensure that candidates are awarded marks according to their performance and said this practice would ensure a fair play in this competitive environment.
The court however modified the HC's decision that the Kerala PSC was not entitled to disclosing the names of the examiners as sought.
It said that disclosing examiners' names might lead to a situation where unsuccessful candidates may try to take revenge from examiners for performing their duty properly.
"This may, further, create a situation where the potential candidates in the next similar exam, especially in the same state or in the same level will try to contact the disclosed examiners for any potential gain by illegal means in the potential exam", the court observed.
The bench comprising justices M Y Eqbal and Arun Mishra, while partially allowing the appeal of 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 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, according to PTI.
SC upheld the Kerala High Court order, which said that answer sheets and the details of the 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.
It further said that examinees are entitled to get scanned copies of their answer sheet of the written test and details of the interview marks under the transparency law.
The bench observed that practice of disclosing marks and answer sheets will ensure that candidates are awarded marks according to their performance and said this practice would ensure a fair play in this competitive environment.
The court however modified the HC's decision that the Kerala PSC was not entitled to disclosing the names of the examiners as sought.
It said that disclosing examiners' names might lead to a situation where unsuccessful candidates may try to take revenge from examiners for performing their duty properly.
"This may, further, create a situation where the potential candidates in the next similar exam, especially in the same state or in the same level will try to contact the disclosed examiners for any potential gain by illegal means in the potential exam", the court observed.
