Using RTI to get the details of bidding in an auction
20 Nov, 2012
Background
The appellant filed an application under the Right to Information (RTI) Act with the State Bank of Patiala seeking information about the details regarding the bidders who had displayed interest in his property that was sold by the bank. He wanted the copies of the deposit slips and vouchers by which the deposits had been made. The Public Information Officer (PIO) denied information on the pretext that the matter was pending in court. The First Appellate Authority (FAA) provided five vouchers pertaining to the earnest money in connection with auction and stated that there was nothing to add further in the matter.
Proceeding
During the hearing before the Central Information Commission (CIC), the respondent stated that the bank had simply gone by the information available with the bank which had been provided by the concerned branch. The appellant stated that it should be noted that what the bank is saying is not correct as the information provided to him by the bank does not even recognize the party who was the highest bidder in the auction proceedings. The appellant further stated that he had been attempting to get the information for last two years from the bank. He had the evidence that what the bank was saying is not correct. The respondent stated that they have no intention to withhold any information and that every effort would be made to reconcile the fact and provide the information. The respondent also said that the bank is a large institution and it is quite possible that the information may not be immediately available, but the cooperation of the appellant would make the task of the bank easier in context of the RTI application with a view to making available the information.
View of CIC
The Commission directed the respondent to provide complete information to the appellant and also submit an affidavit making clear whether all available information has been provided.
Citation: Mr. Suresh Kumar v. State Bank of Patiala in Decision No. CIC/DS/A/2011/003150/VS/01259
RTI Citation : RTIFI/2012/CIC/812
Click here to view original RTI order of Court / Information Commission