Official communications

A public officer need not disclose communications made to them in official confidence if they believe revealing them would harm the public interest. When the officer forms that view, they cannot be compelled to produce those communications in court or to other authorities. The protection covers only communications given in confidence and judged likely to injure public interest.

Priya, a municipal health officer, receives a confidential report from a hospital about a contagious outbreak. A magistrate orders her to hand over the report during an inquiry, but Priya refuses because she believes disclosure would cause panic and hinder containment. Under this rule she cannot be forced to disclose the report.