Central Information Commission
CIC/AD/A/09/00185
Dated March 6, 2009
Name of the Applicant : Mr.Gopal Prasad
Name of the Public Authority : BSNL, Raipur
Background
1. The Applicant filed a RTI request dt.9.7.08 with the CPIO, BSNL, Raipur. He
requested the following information: 1) the amount of money which Mr. D.S.
Baghel, who was a DTO in Telecom office in Bilaspur during the period Nov.
2001 till August., 2005, had taken from people by fraud along with names
and addresses of the victims. 2) a copy of the complaint against Mfr. Baghel
3) documents related to action taken against Mr. Baghel. 4) copy of the
inquiry report against Mr. Baghel. The CPIO replied on 28.7.08 informing the
Appellant that information is not available against 3(a) (b) (d) & (e). With
regard to Point (c) the CPIO denied the information under section 8(i)(h).
Not satisfied with the reply, the Appellant filed his first appeal (copy not
enclosed). The Appellate Authority in response to the applicant’s appeal
dt.6.9.08 replied on 4.10.08 upholding the decision of the CPIO. The
applicant filed a second appeal before CIC on 29.10.08 reiterating his request
for the information.
2. The Bench of Mrs. Annapurna Dixit, Information Commissioner, scheduled the
hearing for March 6, 2009.
3. Both the Appellant and the Respondents were absent at the hearing.
Decision
4. The Commission observed that in a reply to an earlier RTI dt. 26.6.08 the
CPIO stated that Mr. D.S. Baghel was unable to account for the bills,
demand notes and the money deposited by customers. He was found to
have used the money for his personal expenses instead of depositing the
same in the bank. He was found to have committed a fraud of
Rs.2,22,637/- and that the fraud is being investigated and that it is still
incomplete.
5. In the light of the submission of CPIO in his letter dt. 26.6.08 the
Commission upholds the decision of the Appellate Authority and denies
disclosure of information under Section 8(i)(h) of the RTI Act.
6. The appeal is disposed off.
(Annapurna Dixit)
Information Commissioner
Authenticated true copy:
(K.G.Nair)
Designated Officer
Cc:
1. Mr.Gopal Prasad
R/o Vill. Patadhi
Chowk Uranga
Post Tilkaija
Thasil & Dist. Korba
Uttar Pradesh
2. The CPIO &
The General Manager
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited
O/o Chief General Manager
Chattisgarh Telecom Circle
Raipur
3. The Appellate Authority &
The Chief General Manager
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited
O/o Chief General Manager
Chattisgarh Telecom Circle
Raipur
4. Officer in charge, NIC
5. Press E Group, CIC