Central Information Commission
CIC/AD/C/2010/000309
Dated August 2, 2010
Name of the Applicant : Shri V.Gunasekaran
Name of the Public Authority : DRM Office
Southern Railway, Madurai
Background
1. The Applicant filed an RTI application dt.20.1.10 with the PIO, DRM Office, Southern Railway,
Madurai seeking the following information:
‘Photo copy of the reports and suggestions submitted by the Supervisory Guard after inspecting
Guards Running rooms and lobbies during the period from 1.1.09 to 31.12.09’.
On not receiving any reply, he filed a complaint dt.29.1.10 before CIC. Stating that with a view to
avoid the delay of 5 days, he had sent the RTI application to PIO/DOM on 20.1.10. But on 23.1.10,
the Postman attached to the Post Office in Arasaradi had returned to him the envelope containing his
RTI application dt.20.1.10 with the remark ‘REFUSED’ on the envelope. He contended that Shri
K.Velumani, PIO/DOM, Southern Railway, Madurai has without any reasonable cause refused to
receive his application for information, which is not acceptable.
2. The Bench of Mrs. Annapurna Dixit, Information Commissioner, scheduled the hearing for August 2,
2010 through video conferencing.
3. Shri Venkatasubramanian, ADRM & Appellate Authority, Shri Mathivanan, Sr.DPO & PIO and Shri
Jayaprakash, S&WI representing the Public Authority were present at NIC Studio, Madurai while Shri
K.Velumani, DOM and Shri K.Sankarasubramanian, ACM & APIO were present at CIC.
4. The Complainant was not present for the hearing .
Decision
5. The Respondent, Shri K.Velumani, DOM submitted that he was not aware of the RTI application not
being accepted in his office and being returned to the Applicant. According to the Respondent
another letter sent by Registered Post to the office had also been returned in a similar manner with
the remark ‘Refused’ by the same Post man (which is evident from the handwriting on both
envelopes) without checking with anyone in the office. Since it is not clear who had refused to accept
the RTI application, and whether the postman is at fault, the Commission directs the PIO to conduct
an enquiry u/s 18(2) of the RTI Act in this matter and to take appropriate disciplinary action if any
person in the office is found responsible for returning the application. A copy of the enquiry report
and also information on the action taken may be provided to both the Complainant and the
Commission. The Commission also directs the PIO to provide complete information sought by the
Complainant free of cost by 30.9.10 and the Complainant to submit a compliance report to the
Commission by 6.10.10.
7. The Complaint is disposed of with above directions.
(Annapurna Dixit)
Information Commissioner
Authenticated true copy:
(G.Subramanian)
Deputy Registrar
Cc:
1. Shri V.Gunasekaran
Passenger Guard
H.No.369F
Railway Quarters
Madurai 625 016
2. The PIO (along with photocopy of the envelope)
Southern Railway
Divisional Railway
Manager’s Office
Commercial Branch
Madurai 625 016
3. Officer incharge, NIC