Central Information Commission Judgements

Shri Vipul Laxmikant Chhatbar vs Income Tax Department on 10 February, 2009

Central Information Commission
Shri Vipul Laxmikant Chhatbar vs Income Tax Department on 10 February, 2009
     CENTRAL INFORMATION COMMISSION
 Room No. 308, B-Wing, August Kranti Bhawan, Bhikaji Cama Place, New Delhi-110066

                         File No. CIC/S/A/2009/00073
Appellant            :      Shri Vipul Laxmikant Chhatbar
Public Authority     :      Income Tax Department
                            (through Shri R.C. Yadav, ITO (CPIO))
Date of Hearing      :      9.2.2009/10.2.2009
Date of Decision :          10.2.2009
Facts

The background of the matter is that the appellant is an informer
of the Income Tax Department and had provided certain information to
the Department about the M/s Alka Pan Masala, Kalavad (Gujarat).
Pursuant thereto, the Department took necessary follow up action.
Consequent upon the discovery the tax evasion by the above party on the
basis of information provided by the appellant, the Department had
given appropriate reward money to him. It appears that dissatisfied with
this, he had sought information from the CPIO which was dealt with by
CPIO vide letter dated 7.1.2008.

2. On appeal, the Appellate Authority vide order dated 25.2.2008
had upheld the decision of the CPIO and dismissed the appeal.

3. The present appeal has been directed against the order of the
CPIO/AA.

4. The matter was fixed up for hearing on 9.2.2009. The appellant
however appeared before the Commission on 9.2.2009 and requested for
hearing as he had to go back to his native place due to personal
circumstances. He was given a hearing on 9.2.2009. His main
submission was that he wanted to know as to what action had been taken
by the Income Tax Department on his letter dated 23.8.2007.

5. As scheduled, the matter was heard on 10.2.2009. The above
mentioned officers of the Income Tax Department appeared before the
Commission. It is Shri Trivedi’s submission that the reward money due
to the appellant has already been paid to him and as far as the
information contained in appellant’s letter dated 23.8.2007 is concerned,
the Department is taking appropriate action as per law. He also submits
that the appellant has been informed accordingly.

DECISION

6. In view of the above, the appeal has no merit and is dismissed.

Sd/-

(M.L. Sharma)
Central 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

(K.L. Das)
Assistant Registrar