Central Information Commission
CIC/OK/A/2008/00698/AD
Dated December 18, 2008
Name of the Appellant : Shri Muni Lal,
S/o Sh. Munshi Ram,
R/o VPO. 10 M.
Nangal Township, Nangal,
Distt. Rup Nagar-140124
Name of Public Authority : The CPIO,
M/o External Affairs,
Patiyala House, Tilak Marg,
New Delhi-110001.
Background
1. This case scheduled for hearing on 19.12.08. However, at the
request of the PIO it was heard on 18.12.08.
2. The RTI request was filed on 26.12.08. The Appellant requested for
Passport details of his daughter Manju including the Police verification
forms. The PIO replied 29.01.08 denying disclosure under Section
8(1)(j). The First Appeal was filed by the Appellant on _25.2.08. The
First Appellate Authority in his Order dated 25.02.08 upheld the
decision of the CPIO. The Second Appeal was filed before the CIC on
26.04.08.
3. The Bench of Mrs. Annapurna Dixit, Information Commissioner, heard
the matter on December 18, 2008.
4. The Appellant was not present at the hearing.
5. Shri Vitul Kumar, CPIO and Shri Banwari Lal represented the Public
Authority.
Decision
6. The Commission directs the Public Authority to provide the details of
passport as requested by the Appellant on the ground that this is a
document, copies of which are freely given to travel agents, airlines
and in many cases where proof of residence and date of birth are
required, making it a public document and not something private.
7. The appeal is disposed off.
(Annapurna Dixit)
Information Commissioner
Authenticated true copy:
(K.G.Nair)
Designated Officer
Cc:
Shri Muni Lal,
S/o Sh. Munshi Ram,
R/o VPO. 10 M. Nangal Township,
Nangal, Distt.
Rup Nagar-140124.
Shri Vitul Kumar, CPIO,
M/o External Affairs,
Regional Passport Office,
S.C.O. 28-32, Sector – 34 – A,
Chandigarh.
Shri R. Swaminathan,
Appellate Authority,
M/o External Affairs,
Regional Passport Office,
S.C.O. 28-32, Sector – 34 – A,
Chandigarh.
Officer incharge, NIC
Press E Group, CIC