Addressing the issue of misbehavior through RTI
22 Jan, 2013Background
The appellant filed an application under the Right to Information (RTI) Act with the Department of Posts seeking information regarding a particular lady such as whether the department is aware that she is residing in premises with her family (the address was given in the application) since 25 years or not; if the department denies it then a certificate to this effect. He also intimated the department that a complaint has been made against one Postman for misbehaving with that lady and asked about the action taken on the complaint etc. The Public Information Officer (PIO) provided the requisite information to the appellant.
Proceeding
During the hearing before the Central Information Commission (CIC), the appellant stated that misleading information has been furnished by the PIO. He explained that the postal authorities in their reply have contended that the lady does not stay at the motioned address whereas she along with other family members has been residing at the said address for over two decades and the house is also owned by her husband. In support of his contention the appellant produced the original voter card and Aadhar card issued in the name of that lady. The PIO stated that an inspector was deputed to conduct an enquiry. The inspector testified from a tenant residing at the said address that the lady does not stay in the premises and her residence is generally locked.
View of CIC
The Commission directed the PIO to get the matter reinvestigated by deputing a senior inspector to clearly identify the person(s) residing in mentioned premises and furnish a copy of the report to the appellant.
Citation: Mr. Abhishek Maheshwari v. Department of Posts in File No. CIC/LS/A/2012/00289/BS/1580
RTI Citation : RTIFI/2013/CIC/979
Click here to view original RTI order of Court / Information Commission