Information regarding Polygamy is covered under public interest
22 Nov, 2011Information regarding Polygamy is covered under public interest
Background
The appellant sought information about one of the employee of the company SECL who got the compassionate appointment as a Piece Rated Loader on the grounds of plural marriage with the minor daughter of the ex – GM. The PIO informed that the information asked by the appellant is not clear and specific and told to clear the points for the information sought. The First Appellate Authority upholds the decision.
View of the CIC
It was submitted by the public authority to the CIC that the information sought by the appellant cannot be disclosed as it exempt under the Section 8(1) (j) of the RTI Act. The CIC observed that the information sought by the appellant attracts larger public interest and cannot be denied under section 8(1) (j) of the Act. Further, the CIC directed PIO to provide all the information to the appellant within two weeks from the date of the order.
Implications
Ordinarily, matters regarding marriage are personal but when it relates to polygamy or an appointment to a public service, the larger public interest can be invoked to obtain such personal information.
Citation: Shri Fuleshwar Prasad Surjiehah v. South Eastern Coalfields Ltd. in File No: CIC/SS/A/2011/000977