The State has submitted an appeal to the High Court against an order from the Information Commissioner directing to disclose the findings of a study conducted by the Environment Ministry on levels of mercury found in fish caught locally and in humans. 

A member of the public submitted an RTI request seeking details of the respondents to a survey on whether mercury was detected in local catch, its levels, the type of fish in which it was found, the area from which the fish was caught, and the levels to which mercury was detected in the catch and humans. 

The ministry's Information Officer responded to the request stating that the ministry does not possess any such information. However, the matter was forwarded to the ministry's review committee, which revealed that a study is underway to ascertain levels of mercury in fish caught outside Thilafushi. 

The ministry decided to delay disclosure of this information as technical work on the report is currently ongoing. 

However, the Information Commissioner ruled that the ministry's decision did not fully comply with legal requirements. The commissioner also raised concerns that the Information Officer had provided misleading information to the public. 

The Information Commissioner directed the ministry to disclose to the applicant within 10 days the types of fish in which mercury was detected, age and gender of respondents to the survey, and the levels to which mercury was detected in these individuals.

The ministry, however, decided to appeal the ruling at the High Court instead of complying. The court is yet to decide on whether the case will be accepted.