Central Information Commission
File No. CIC/WB/C/2010/000384SM
Right to Information Act - 2005 under Section (19)
Date of hearing : 11 August 2011
Date of Decision : 05 September 2011
Name of the Appellant : Sh. Piyush Soni,
S/o Sh. R R Soni,
HIG A/27, Bimakunj,
Kolar road, Bhopal
Madhya Pradesh - 462 042.
Name of the Public Authority : Central Public Information Officer,
Supreme Court of India,
New Delhi.
Chief Information Commissioner : Sh. Satyananda Mishra
The Complainant was Present. On behalf of the Respondent Smt. Smita Vats
Sharma, Additional Registrar & CPIO, was present.
2. We heard this case through Video Conferencing. The Complainant was present at the
NIC Studio at Bhopal. The Respondent was present in our chamber. We heard the
submissions of both the parties.
3. The Complainant, in his application dated 03 May 2010, had raised a number of
queries asking the reasons for dismissal of his PIL filed in the Supreme Court. The CPIO by
his letter dated 01 June 2011 had informed him that it was beyond the jurisdiction and scope
of the duties of the CPIO, Supreme Court of India under the RTI Act 2005 to interpret the law,
judgment and orders of the Supreme Court, or to give explanation, opinion, comment or
advice on matters. He further informed that the request for information of the Complainant
was thus, not covered under Section 2 of the RTI Act 2005. The Complainant, aggrieved by
the reply given by the CPIO, chose not to avail the opportunity of preferring the First Appeal
and filed a complaint with the CIC.
4. During the hearing, the Complainant expressed his dissatisfaction over the manner in
which his application was disposed of by the CPIO. However, we tend to agree with the
decision of the CPIO. The CPIO cannot be expected to offer any explanation or
hazard any guess about why a PIL had been dismissed by the Supreme Court. All he can
disclose is the copy of the order/file noting containing the decision of the Supreme Court. We
direct the CPIO to provide a copy of any such order/file noting within 10 working days of
receiving this order.
5. The complaint is disposed of accordingly.
6. Copies of this order be given free of cost to the parties.
(Satyananda Mishra)
Chief Information Commissioner
Authenticated true copy. Additional copies of orders shall be supplied against application and
payment of the charges prescribed under the Act to the CPIO of this Commission
(Vijay Bhalla)
Deputy
Registrar