ICOM’s Reason for Withholding Indian Troop Numbers Not Justified: High Court

The High Court of the Republic of Maldives ruled that the Information Commissioner's Office (ICOM) should revisit its decision to withhold the number of Indian troops in the Maldives. The court found that the commissioner did not adequately justify that disclosure would threaten national security, and that MNDF's input alone was insufficient. The three-judge panel, led by Judge Hussain Shahid, was unanimous that ICOM's decision was not in accordance with proper procedure. The state had argued that disclosure would endanger security and bilateral relations.

The High Court of the Republic of Maldives ruled that the Information Commissioner's Office (ICOM) should revisit its decision to withhold the number of Indian troops in the Maldives. The court found that the commissioner did not adequately justify that disclosure would threaten national security, and that MNDF's input alone was insufficient. The three-judge panel, led by Judge Hussain Shahid, was unanimous that ICOM's decision was not in accordance with proper procedure. The state had argued that disclosure would endanger security and bilateral relations.

The High Court of the Republic of Maldives ruled that the Information Commissioner's Office (ICOM) should revisit its decision to withhold the number of Indian troops in the Maldives. The court found that the commissioner did not adequately justify that disclosure would threaten national security, and that MNDF's input alone was insufficient. The three-judge panel, led by Judge Hussain Shahid, was unanimous that ICOM's decision was not in accordance with proper procedure. The state had argued that disclosure would endanger security and bilateral relations.

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