In the Central Information Commission
at
New Delhi
File No: CIC/AD/C/2010/001308
Date of Hearing : January 31, 2011
Date of Decision : January 31, 2011
Parties:
Applicant
Ms.Aradhana
D/o Shri Sushil Kumar
Street No.7
Chandra Nagar
Krishna Colony
Moradabad
The Applicant was represented by Shri Sushil Kumar during the hearing.
Respondents
Western Railway
Divisional Railway Manager's Office
Rajkot Division
Rajkot
Represented by : Shri R.S.Sharma, PIO & Sr.DPO and Shri S.D.Oza, Clerk
Information Commissioner : Mrs. Annapurna Dixit
___________________________________________________________________
Decision Notice
The complaint is dismissed.
In the Central Information Commission
at
New Delhi
File No: CIC/AD/C/2010/001308
ORDER
Background
1. The Applicant filed an RTI application dt.15.5.10 with the PIO, DRM Office, Western Railway, Rajkot.
She stated that there was an ongoing dispute between her and one Shri Anil Kumar in the Patiala
House, New Delhi. She added that Shri Anil Kumar had filed an affidavit in which he had mentioned
that his brother, sister and his entire family are dependent on him, which is incorrect since his
brother Shri Vinod Kumar is employed as an ASM in the Railways and therefore cannot be
dependent on his brother. In this connection the Applicant sought the details of family members ho
are dependent on Shri Vinod Kumar. Shri R.S.Sharma, CPIO replied on 17.6.10 stating the
disclosure may cause unwarranted invasion of privacy of the individual and is exempted from
disclosure u/s 8(1) (j) of the RTI Act as personal information. He added that the Applicant has not
been able to justify how such disclosure would be in public interest. Being aggrieved with the reply,
Applicant filed a complaint dt.Nil before CIC.
Decision
2. The Commission on perusal of the submissions on record and after hearing both sides, and after
noting that the Public Authority is not a party to the ongoing dispute holds that the information sought
about dependents of the employee is indeed personal information the disclosure of which has no
relationship with any public activity or interest. The disclosure on the other hand would cause
unwarranted invasion of the privacy of the individuals concerned. The Commission hence finds no
reason to interfere with the decision of the PIO .
4. The complaint is dismissed and the case closed at the Commission’s end.
(Annapurna Dixit)
Information Commissioner
Authenticated true copy
(G.Subramanian)
Deputy Registrar
Cc:
1. Ms.Aradhana
D/o Shri Sushil Kumar
Street No.7
Chandra Nagar
Krishna Colony
Moradabad
2. The Public Information Officer
Western Railway
Divisional Railway Manager’s Office
Rajkot Division
Rajkot
3. Officer Incharge, NIC