The public information officer of the Bombay High Court has declined to release information under the Right to Information (RTI) Act regarding the structural assessments of the court's historic building in south Mumbai. They argue that disclosing these details could potentially put the lives of judges and other officials in danger.

Environmental activist Zoru Bathena filed a Right to Information (RTI) application last month, requesting copies of the most recent three structural assessments performed on the primary and annex buildings of the Bombay High Court.

Bathena stated that he had requested this information to use it in a separate case concerning the restoration of the 135-year-old reservoir located at Malabar Hill in south Mumbai.

Bathena explained that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation had asserted that the reservoir at Malabar Hill was beyond repair and required reconstruction. He aimed to cite the Bombay High Court building and the BMC's headquarters building, both of which are over a century old but are currently undergoing repair rather than full reconstruction, as examples to support his case.

The activist asserted that he had requested the structural audit reports of the BMC building and had successfully obtained the information. However, in contrast, the high court declined to furnish the same information.

In a response dated November 1, the public information officer of the high court rejected Bathena's application, stating that the requested information cannot be provided as it is not connected to a broader public activity or interest.

The response stated, "The information requested is exempt from disclosure due to security concerns. Disclosing this information would also pose a risk to the lives and physical safety of the Hon'ble judges and officials of the Bombay High Court."