Whistleblowers at risk: Need for protection of anti-corruption crusaders

Democracy is government by the people, for the people and of the people. People have the right to know the functionalities of the government. Accessibility to information on government functioning is a vital component of any democracies. A country will not be completely democratic if the participation of people is restricted to the process of elections alone. The whistleblowers play an important role in providing information on corruption and mal-administration, and their protection is important, for this The Publication Interest Disclosure and Protection to Person making the Disclosures Bill, 2011 which has already been passed by Lok Sabha. The paper critically examines the provisions of bill and further examines legislations of various countries protecting whistleblowers. Public servants working in the same department know better as who in their department is corrupt, but sadly due to pressure from seniors and danger to their life they are not able to forward the information. The paper further examines the standing committee, Law Commission Report and amendments to the bill, to understand the legislative intent and draw a correct analysis. The paper also includes case studies to impress upon the requisite for such a legislation to be enacted.