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Central Information Commission

Ravi Bhinda vs Delhi Fire Services on 31 December, 2025

                                के ीय सू चना आयोग
                          Central Information Commission
                             बाबा गंगनाथ माग, मुिनरका
                           Baba Gangnath Marg, Munirka
                           नई िद ी, New Delhi - 110067


File No: CIC/DLFSR/A/2024/117879

Ravi Bhinda                                           .....अपीलकता/Appellant


                                        VERSUS
                                         बनाम


PIO,
Delhi Fire Service HQ. (Govt.
of NCT of Delhi), Connaught
Lane, Barakhamba Road, New
Delhi - 110001.                                       .... ितवादीगण /Respondent

Date of Hearing                     :    09.12.2025
Date of Decision                    :    22.12.2025

INFORMATION COMMISSIONER :               Vinod Kumar Tiwari

Relevant facts emerging from appeal:

RTI application filed on            :    11.12.2023
CPIO replied on                     :    16.01.2024
First appeal filed on               :    13.02.2024
First Appellate Authority's order   :    Not on record
2nd Appeal/Complaint dated          :    06.06.2024

Information sought

:

1. The Appellant filed an RTI application dated 11.12.2023 (offline) seeking the following information:

"The undersigned is seeking the following information/documents qua Proposed Commercial Mall / Commercial Complex and Multiplex named "MGF City Mall" or "VR Metropolitan Mall" situated at Khyber Pass, Delhi (Said Commercial Complex) being developed by North Delhi Metro Mall Pvt. Ltd. (earlier known as MGF Metro Mall Pvt Ltd.) / (MGF Developments Limited) from your good office under the Right to Information Act, 2005;

1. Please provide the copy of all FIRE NOCs issued by Department from time to time with all Building Sanctioned Plans, Revised Building Plans approved by Delhi Fire Service for said Commercial Complex including the Plans/revised Plan sanctioned for Multiplex Cinemas/Theatres in the since 2006 to till date.

2. Please provide the copy of all Correspondence & File Notings with respect to FIRE NOCs issued by Department from time to time qua Building Sanctioned Plans, Revised Building Plans approved by Delhi Fire Service for said Commercial Complex including the Plans/revised Plan sanctioned for Multiplex Cinemas/Theatres in the since 2006 to till date.

3. M2K Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. being bona fide sub-lessee is exclusive occupier of Multiplex area in the Commercial Complex vide Agreement dated 06.09.2006. Copy of Order dt. 24.02.2023 passed by Hon'ble Central Information Commission is enclosed for your reference."

2. The CPIO furnished a point-wise reply to the Appellant on 16.01.2024 stating as under:

"1. The information is exempted of u/s 8 (1) (d), (e) & (j) of The RTI Act 2005.

2. The information is exempted of u/s 8 (1) (d), (e) & (j) of The RTI Act 2005."

3. Being dissatisfied, the Appellant filed a First Appeal dated 13.02.2024. The FAA's order is not on record.

4. Feeling aggrieved and dissatisfied, Appellant approached the Commission with the instant Second Appeal.

Relevant Facts emerged during Hearing:

The following were present:-

Appellant: Present along with his council Adv. Amita Gaur, in person. Respondent: Shri Ravi Nath, ADO/PIO, appeared in person.

5. Proof of having served a copy of Second Appeal on Respondent while filing the same in CIC on 06.06.2024 is not available on record. The Respondent conformed non-service.

6. The Appellant, represented by counsel, argued that the denial of information was arbitrary. It was submitted that the information sought neither involves personal details of any third-party nor does it attract commercial confidentiality. Therefore, exemptions under Sections 8(1)(d), (e) and (j) of the RTI Act were incorrectly invoked. Accordingly, she prayed to direct the Respondent to provide the information sought by the Appellant.

7. The Respondent while defending their case inter alia submitted that the information requested from 2006 onwards is extremely voluminous and collating such records would disproportionately divert the resources of the public authority, as contemplated under Section 7(9) of the RTI Act. Further, plans and revised plans for multiplex cinemas/theatres involve third- party commercial details and were therefore denied under Sections 8(1) (d),

(e) & (j) of the RTI Act. It was also informed that no NOC was issued to MGF City Mall after approval of plan.

Decision:

8. The Commission after adverting to the facts and circumstances of the case, hearing both the parties and perusal of the records, noted that point- wise reply has been given by the Respondent Authorities. As regards point Nos. 2 and 3 of the RTI application wherein the Appellant sought information regarding correspondences/File notings from 2006 onward. The Commission accepts the Respondent's submission that the information sought spans nearly two decades and is voluminous in nature. Compilation of all correspondence and file notings from 2006 till the date of the RTI application would indeed CIC/DLFSR/A/2024/117879 Page 3 of 5 disproportionately divert the resources of the public authority. Therefore, the Commission upholds the contention of the Respondent with respect to Points No. 2 and 3 of the RTI application.

9. Further on Point No. 1, the Appellant sought information regarding Fire NOCs and Building/Revised Plans etc. while replying, the Respondent merely invoked exemptions without recording adequate justification. Certain categories of information, particularly Fire NOCs issued by a Public Authority, which involves public safety, are ordinarily disclosable unless they reveal protected third-party commercial details. The Commission finds the reply is incomplete and unsatisfactory is accordingly set aside. Now, the Respondent is directed to revisit Point No. 1 of the RTI application and provide a revised reply/information to the Appellant within two weeks from the date of receipt of this order complying with the RTI Act.

10. The FAA to ensure compliance of this order.

The appeal is disposed of accordingly.

Vinod Kumar Tiwari (िवनोद कुमार ितवारी) Information Commissioner (सूचना आयु ) Authenticated true copy (अिभ मािणत स ािपत ित) (S. Anantharaman) Dy. Registrar 011- 26181927 Date Copy To:

The FAA, Delhi Fire Service HQ, Connaught Lane, Barakhamba Road, New Delhi - 110001 CIC/DLFSR/A/2024/117879 Page 4 of 5 CIC/DLFSR/A/2024/117879 Page 5 of 5 Recomendation(s) to PA under section 25(5) of the RTI Act, 2005:-

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