In the Central Information Commission
at
New Delhi
File No. CIC/AD/A/2011/001525
Date of Hearing : September 05, 2011
Date of Decision : September 05, 2011
Parties: (Heard through videoconference)
Appellant
Shri Samir Vijay Zaveri
H.No. 127, Mumbadevi Road,
Daya Mandir Building,
Third Floor,
Mumbai 400 003
The Appellant was present.
Respondents
Central Railway
Office of Divisional Railway Manager
Commercial Branch, CST,
Mumbai
Represented by : Shri P.C. Sinha, Sr. Divisional Security Commissioner.
Information Commissioner : Mrs. Annapurna Dixit
___________________________________________________________________
In the Central Information Commission
at
New Delhi
File No: CIC/AD/A/2011/001525
ORDER
Background
1. The Applicant filed his RTIapplication dated 08.03.2011 with the PIO, Central Railway, RPF,
Mumbai, seeking information against 3 points all related to the visits of the RPF superior officers (viz.,
Asst. Security Commissioner & Sr. Divisional Security Commissioner) to the RPF Thana at Kurla
Suburban Railway Station, Mumbai during the period 20082009. The PIO, on 16.03.2011, declined
the disclosure of information to the Applicant citing exemption under Section 8(1)(j) [for item c ] of the
RTIAct. The Applicant, aggrieved with the PIO’s reply, filed his 1 stappeal with the Appellate Authority
(AA) on 28.03.2011. The AA, on 28.04.2011, forwarded the remarks of the Sr. DCS/ RPF to the
Appellant which reiterated the above reply of the PIO. The Appellant then filed the present appeal
(dated 10.06.2011) before the Commission requesting for the disclosure of information.
Decision
3. During the hearing, the Respondents stated that disclosing the details of visits of the RPF officers to
Thanas would not serve any public interest as it is the part of their internal affairs. Further, the said
records are not maintained at the office of the PIO. The Appellant then pointed out that the entry
register at Thana Kurla Railway Station would definitely contain information about the visits which
have been made by RPF officers.
4. It is noted that the Respondents’ pleas both the initial (para 1) and the present one (no public interest)
for denying the requested information to the Appellant is not sustainable as the information sought
herein is about the functioning of the public authority. Further, it does not attract any of the exemption
clauses given under Section 8(1) of the RTIAct. It is accordingly directed that the PIO, Kurla shall
provide to the Appellant copies of relevant pages of the Register maintained at Kurla Rly. Station , in
which the details of inspection/visits of the above RPF officers are entered. The information should be
provided to the Appellant by 5.10.2011.
5. The present PIO, Shri P.C. Sinha, Sr. Divisional Security Commissioner is directed to serve a copy of
this order to the PIO, Kurla for him to comply with the above direction.
6. The Appeal is disposed of with the above directions.
(Annapurna Dixit)
Information Commissioner
Authenticated true copy
(G.Subramanian)
Deputy Registrar
Cc:
1. Shri Samir Vijay Zaveri
H.No. 127, Mumbadevi Road,
Daya Mandir Building,
Third Floor,
Mumbai 400 003
2. The Appellate Authority
Central Railway
Office of Divisional Railway Manager
Commercial Branch, CST,
Mumbai
3. Public Information Officer
Central Railway
Office of Sr. Divisional Security Commissioner, RPF,
CST,
Mumbai
4. Officer in charge, NIC
Note: In case, the Commission’s above directives have not been complied with by the Respondents, the Appellant
may file a formal complaint with the Commission under Section 18(1) of the RTIAct, giving (1) copy of RTI
application, (2) copy of PIO’s reply, (3) copy of the decision of the first Appellate Authority, (4) copy of the
Commission’s decision, and (5) any other documents which he/she considers to be necessary for deciding the
complaint. In the prayer, the Appellant may indicate, what information has not been provided.