Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government has declined to disclose details of the helicopter rented by the State Police in response to a Right to Information (RTI) application, stating that the information falls under the Confidential Section of the Police Headquarters and is exempt from disclosure under the RTI Act.

The response was issued by the State Police Headquarters to an application filed by RTI activist Raju Vazhakala.

According to the reply, information relating to the helicopter's deployment, rental agreement and other operational aspects is maintained by the Confidential Section of the Police Headquarters, which has been exempted from the purview of the Right to Information Act.

In his application, Vazhakala had sought details including the date on which the helicopter was hired, the monthly rental amount, the total rent paid from the commencement of the contract until July 31, the name of the company that supplied the helicopter, the expiry date of the current agreement, and a copy of the contract.

The RTI request was filed amid controversy over Chief Minister VD Satheesan's use of the helicopter. The Opposition had alleged that the helicopter was used for private purposes. The Chief Minister, however, said it had been used to meet an investor, but did not disclose the investor's identity.

In its response, the State Public Information Officer at the Police Headquarters reiterated that the requested information could not be shared as it pertains to the Confidential Section, which is exempt from disclosure under the RTI Act.

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