A person accused of unauthorized disclosure of a whistle-blower’s identity has how many days to reply to a show-cause notice?

The question pertains to the legal framework surrounding the protection of whistle-blowers and the accountability for unauthorized disclosures.

• Correct Answer: 15 days is the standard period provided for a person accused of unauthorized disclosure of a whistle-blower's identity to reply to a show-cause notice. This timeframe allows for adequate preparation of a response while ensuring timely progression of the inquiry.
• Distractors: Options A (7 days), C (30 days), and D (60 days) are incorrect. 7 days would typically be too short for a comprehensive response, while 30 or 60 days would unduly delay the process, deviating from the established legal protocols for such sensitive matters.

This specific duration is crucial for maintaining procedural fairness and efficiency in legal proceedings related to whistle-blower protection.