Who is a Whistleblower?
- A whistleblower is someone who exposes or reports unlawful, unethical, or fraudulent practices within an organization.
- This individual, who is frequently an employee or an insider, comes forward to expose wrongdoing, misbehavior, or malpractices that may be detrimental to the public interest.
Whistle Blowers Protection Act, 2011
- The act intends to protect whistleblowers, or anyone who makes a public interest disclosure about an act of corruption, misuse of power, or criminal offense committed by a public worker.
- Any public worker or other individual, including a non-governmental organization, may disclose such information to the Central or State Vigilance Commission.
- The complainant’s identity must be included in every complaint.
- The Vigilance Commission shall not reveal the complainant’s identity except to the department head if he finds it necessary. The Act punishes anyone who discloses the complainant’s name.
- The act imposes penalties for making knowingly false complaints.