Central Information Commission
Dr Ajayan T vs Visva-Bharati on 25 September, 2025
के ीय सूचना आयोग
Central Information Commission
बाबा गं गनाथ माग,मुिनरका
Baba Gangnath Marg, Munirka
नई िद ी, New Delhi - 110067
ि तीय अपील सं ा / Second Appeal No. CIC/VISBH/A/2024/122380
Dr. Ajayan T. ... अपीलकता/Appellant
VERSUS
बनाम
CPIO:
Visva-Bharati ... ितवादीगण/Respondents
(A Central University),
Birbhum, West Bengal
Relevant dates emerging from the appeal:
RTI : 28.10.2023 FA : 17.01.2024 SA : 06.07.2024
CPIO : 17.01.2024 FAO : 27.03.2024 Hearing : 17.09.2025
Date of Decision: 25.09.2025
CORAM:
Hon'ble Commissioner
_ANANDI RAMALINGAM
ORDER
1. The Appellant filed an RTI application dated 28.10.2023 seeking information on the following points:
(i) I have submitted research proposal as per the directions from the Visva Bharati University to the Joint Registrar (Research) and the Head of the Department of History of Visva Bharati University for the registration for D.Lit. in History. May I know the present status of my application and when the registration will be granted.
2. The CPIO replied vide letter dated 17.01.2024 and the same is reproduced as under:-
Page 1 of 4No further information is held with this office.
3. Dissatisfied with the response received from the CPIO, the Appellant filed a First Appeal dated 17.01.2024 alleging that the information provided was incomplete, false and misleading. The FAA vide order dated 27.03.2024 stated that:
The First Appeal made by Dr Ajayan T was received by the Office of the Registrar, Visva-Bharati on 10.01.2024.
An online hearing through the googlemeet was arranged with notice to the appellant on the above-mentioned date and time but the appellant did not appear in the said hearing. He has, however, requested via email for another date. As such his hearing will be accommodated in a subsequent hearing in late April or early May 2024.
4. Aggrieved with the FAA's order, the Appellant approached the Commission with the instant Second Appeal dated 06.07.2024.
5. The appellant and on behalf of the respondent Mr. Utpal Hazra, Assistant Registrar, attended the hearing through video conference.
6. The appellant inter alia submitted that he had sought status of his application but no proper reply had been received till date.
7. The respondent while defending their case inter alia submitted that a response to the RTI application had been furnished to the appellant vide their letter dated 17.01.2024. Moreover, the appellant did not come in online First appeal hearing. A written submission dated 08.09.2025 of the respondent is reproduced as under:-
"In connection with the above mentioned subject and reference, the undersigned is to inform you that the Appellant, Dr Ajayan T, Pooja Bhavan, Ayikunnam, Sasthamcotta, Kollam, Kerala- 690521, filed the RTI application vide Registration No. VISBH/R/E/23/00206 on 28.10.2023 (Annexure-I).
Status Report:Page 2 of 4
On receipt of the RTI application from Dr Ajayan T on 28.10.2023, the undersigned, in his capacity as CPIO, forwarded the reply received from Joint Registrar (Academic & Research), Visva-Bharati to the Appellant on 17.01.2024 through email (Annexure-II).
The Appellant filed the First appeal on 08.01.2024 (vide RTI Appeal Registration No. VISBH/A/E/24/00005). The First Appellate Authority (F.A.A), Visva-Bharati convened an online hearing on 27.03.2024 but the Appellant didn't appear in the said hearing (Annexure-III).
It is clear from the above report that the undersigned is no way responsible for non- cooperation or delay in furnishing the information to the Appellant. Appellant. The undersigned is ready to extend all necessary cooperation as well as furnishing of all available information to the appellant in compliance compliance with the RTI Act, 2005."
8. The Commission after adverting to the facts and circumstances of the case, hearing both parties and perusal of records, observes that the reply of the CPIO is evasive as status of the appellant's representation has not been furnished by the CPIO. Therefore, the Commission directs the CPIO to furnish a revised reply to the appellant stating present status of the appellant's representation, within 20 days from the date of the receipt of this order, under intimation to the Commission. With this observation and direction, the appeal is disposed of.
Copy of the decision be provided free of cost to the parties.
Sd/-
(Anandi Ramalingam) (आनंदी रामिलंगम) Information Commissioner (सूचना आयु ) िदनांक/Date: 25.09.2025 Page 3 of 4 Authenticated true copy O. P. Pokhriyal (ओ.पी. पोख रयाल) Dy. Registrar (उप पंजीयक) 011-26180514 Addresses of the parties:
1. The CPIO, Visva-Bharati (A Central University), PO - Santiniketan, Birbhum, West Bengal, Pin-731235
2. Dr. Ajayan T. Page 4 of 4 Recomendation(s) to PA under section 25(5) of the RTI Act, 2005:-
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