Copy of documents held in 27 RTI files & 22 appeal files relating to appellant’s case - Appellant stated that he did not need the information any more & the fee of Rs. 500/- paid by him should be refunded to him with interest - CIC: refund the amount paid
18 Mar, 2014Copy of all the documents held in the 27 RTI files 22 The provisions of this Act shall have effect notwithstanding anything inconsistent therewith contained in the Official Secrets Act, 1923 (19 of 1923), and any other law for the time being in force or in any instrument having effect by virtue of any law other than this Act. The provisions of this Act shall have effect notwithstanding anything inconsistent therewith contained in the Official Secrets Act, 1923 (19 of 1923), and any other law for the time being in force or in any instrument having effect by virtue of any law other than this Act. appeal files relating to appellant’s case was sought - PIO: putting up of several applications/appeals is misuse of RTI Act - Appellant stated that he did not need the information any more and the amount of Rs.500/- paid by him should be refunded to him with interest - CIC: refund the amount due to the appellant
ORDER
Facts:
1. The appellant, Shri K S Budhraja has submitted RTI applications dated 9 February 2012 before the Central Public Information Officer (CPIO), Punjab National Bank, New Delhi; seeking information relating to the certified copy of all the documents held in the 27 RTI files relating to his case except copy of his applications and replies and in case of another 22 The provisions of this Act shall have effect notwithstanding anything inconsistent therewith contained in the Official Secrets Act, 1923 (19 of 1923), and any other law for the time being in force or in any instrument having effect by virtue of any law other than this Act. The provisions of this Act shall have effect notwithstanding anything inconsistent therewith contained in the Official Secrets Act, 1923 (19 of 1923), and any other law for the time being in force or in any instrument having effect by virtue of any law other than this Act. appeal files he requested for copies of his appeal and replies from the respondents to him through a total of 2 points.
2. Vide orders dated 2nd March 2012, CPIO denied the information by stating that, “we bring to your notice the judgment dated 28.7.2020 of the Central Information Commission, Delhi (Praveen Kumar Jha V/s BHEL) that putting up of several applications/appeals before CPIO/Appellate Authority is misuse of RTI Act, 2005 for promotion of your interest”. Not satisfied by the CPIO’s reply, the appellant preferred appeal dated 26th March 2012 to the First Appellate Authority (FAA). Vide order dated 16 April 2012, FAA upheld the CPIO’s decision and also further clarified the same.
3. Being aggrieved and not satisfied by the above response of the public authority, the appellant preferred second appeal before the Commission.
4. The matter was heard today. Shri Mohan Singh, Chief Manager, Punjab National Bank and Shri Suresh Kapoor, Sr. Manager attended the hearing. Shri K.S. Budhraja was also present.
5. The appellant stated that he had sent a draft of Rs. 500 for getting certified copies of all documents in a number of RTI files, relating to him. No information was, however, provided to him. He also stated that he did not need the information any more and the amount of Rs. 500 paid by him should be refunded to him with interest.
Decision Notice
6. As the appellant does not require any information now, the respondents will refund the amount due to the appellant which was paid for seeking the information under the present RTI request within one week of the receipt of the order of the Commission.
7. The appeal is dismissed and the case closed at the Commission’s end.
(Manjula Prasher)
Information Commissioner
Citation: Shri K.S. Budhraja v. Punjab National Bank in Appeal: No. CIC/VS/A/2012/000468/MP