Central Information Commission
Bhagwan Singh Chauhan vs West Central Railway on 25 June, 2025
के ीय सूचना आयोग
Central Information Commission
बाबा गंगनाथ माग, मुिनरका
Baba Gangnath Marg, Munirka
नई िद ी, New Delhi - 110067
File No: CIC/WECRL/A/2024/608245
Bhagwan Singh Chauhan .....अपीलकता/Appellant
VERSUS
बनाम
PIO,
O/o Divisional Railway Manager
West Central Railway, New Railway
Colony, Kota, Rajasthan - 324002 .... ितवादीगण /Respondent
Date of Hearing : 20.06.2025
Date of Decision : 25.06.2025
INFORMATION COMMISSIONER : Vinod Kumar Tiwari
Relevant facts emerging from appeal:
RTI application filed on : 24.09.2023
CPIO replied on : 11.10.2023
First appeal filed on : 24.10.2023
First Appellate Authority's order : 22.11.2023
2nd Appeal/Complaint dated : 12.02.2024
Information sought:
1. The Appellant filed an (online) RTI application dated 24.09.2023 seeking the following information:
"1. Please give me photocopy of my CLI written test copy. Written test held on 17 may 2023.Page 1 of 8
2. Please give me a photocopy of CLI result assessment sheet which shows all candidate written test marks and CR marks. CLI result declare on date 15 September 2023.
3. Please give me a photocopy of my CLI result assessment sheet which shows my written test marks and CR marks. CLI result declare on date 15 September 2023.
4. Please give me a chance for show CLI result assessment sheet which show all candidate written test marks and CR marks. CLI result declare on date 15 September 2023."
2. The CPIO furnished a reply to the Appellant on 11.10.2023 stating as under:
"1. ाथ ी भगवान संह चौहान के वयं के सीएलआई ( व युत) जनरल "योटा वेतनमान स 9300-34800+4600 &ेड (आरएसआरपी) लेवल 7 लोको (र)नंग) वभाग के पद पर पदो+न)त के लए चयन के अ+तग-त .दनांक 17.05.2023 (बुधवार) को आयोिजत ल2खत पर45ा के वयं के उ7र प8क क9 )त संल:न है ।
2. असेसमे+ट शीट म@ पर45ा म@ उ7ीण- सम त कम-चाBरयC क9 सूचना उपलEध है । अतः अ+य कम-चाBरयC से सGबHधत सूचना, जन सूचना अHधकार अHध)नयम 2005 क9 बारा 8(1) जे के अ+तग-त ाथ को उपलEध नह4ं कराई जा सकती है।
Iफर भी सीएलआई ( व युत) जनरल "योटा, वेतनमान K 9300- 34800+4600 &ेड पे (आरएसआरपी) लेवल 7 लोको (र)नंग वभाग के पद पर पदो+न)त के लए चयन। के अ+तग-त .दनांक 13.05.23 (श)नवार) एवं 17.05.23 (बुधवार) ल2खत पर45ा म@ सिGम लत सभी कम-चाBरयC के ाLतांको क9 सMया पत )त संल:न है।
3. असेसमे+ट शीट म@ पर45ा म@ उ7ीण- सम त कम-चाBरयC क9 सूचना उपलEध है । अतः अ+य कम-चाBरयC से सGबंHधत सूचना, जन सूचना अHधकार अHध)नयम 2005 क9 धारः 8 (1) जे के अ+तग-7 ाथ को उपलEध नह4 कराई जा सकती है।
Iफर भी ाथ ी भगवान संह चौहान के वयं के सीएलआई ( व युत) जनरल "योटा, वेतनमान K 9300-34800+4600 &ेड पे (आरएसआरपी) Page 2 of 8 लेवल 7 लोको (र)नंग) वभाग के पद पर पदो+न)त के लए चयन के अ+तग-त .दनांक 17.05.2023 (बुधवार को आयोिजत ल2खत पर45ा के वयं के उ7र प8क क9 )त संल:न है ।
4. ाथ ी भगवान संह चौहान के C!! ( व युत) जनरल "वोटा के वयं के APAR के मा"स- 24 है । (वष- 2019-20= 8, 2020-21-8, 2021-22=8) है । असेसमे+ट शीट म@ पर45ा म@ उ7ीण- सम त - कम-चाBरयC क9 सूचना उपलEध है । जह अ+य कम-चाBरयC से सGबHधत सूचना, जर सूचना अHधकार अHध)नयम 2005 क9 धारा 8(1) जे के अ+तग-त ाथ को अवलोकन नह4ं कराई जा सकती है ।"
3. Being dissatisfied, the appellant filed a First Appeal dated 24.10.2023. The FAA vide its order dated 22.11.2023, held as under.
"आपके मूल आवेदन के संदभ- म@ मुRय काया-लय अधी5क थापना- गोपनीय के नोट .दनांक 09.10.2023 के वारा पूव- म@ Mयु7र दान Iकया जा चुका हS। आपके अपील आवेदन के संदभ- म@ मुRय काया-लय अधी5क थापना गोपनीय के नोट .दनांक 16.11.2023 के वारा दान क9 गई सूचना संल:न कर दान क9 जा रह4 हS।
आवेदक य.द चाहे तो 15 .दवस पूव- सूचना मय पहचान प8 दे कर Iकसी भी काय- .दवस म@ उपलEध Bरकॉड- का RTI Act क9 पBरHध म@ अवलोकन कर सकता है।
Encl. dated 16.11.2023 is as under:
1. The assessment sheet prepared for selection is not a public document even after completion of selection. The marks obtained by all the candidates in warren test are published as per railway boards instructions and copy provided to applicant. Marks of APAR, award and penalty are personal information Therefore, copy of assessment sheet which disclose the marks of APAR award and penalty of all the candidates qualified in written test may not be provided under Section 8(1) J of RTI
2. The assessment sheet prepared for selection showing marks of applicant is also having Marks of APAR, award and penalty of all the candidates qualified in written test. Marks of APAR, award and penalty Page 3 of 8 are personal information, details of marks obtained by the applicant is provided and furnished again as under:
The assessment sheet prepared for selection is not a public document even after completion of selection. Marks of APAR, award and penalty are personal information and applicant is provided with information about his own marks. Therefore, the assessment sheet which disclose the marks of APAR, award and penalty of other candidates qualified in written test may not be shown to applicant under Section 8(1) J of RTI. (2019-10-8Marks), (2020-21-8Marks) (2021-22-8Marks) However, the copy of assessment sheet which disclose the marks of APAR, award and penalty of other candidates qualified in written test may not be provided under Section 8(1) J of RTI.
3. The assessment sheet prepared for selection is not a public document even after completion of selection. Marks of APAR, award and penalty are personal information and applicant is provided with information about his own marks. Therefore, the assessment sheet which disclose the marks of APAR, award and penalty of other candidates qualified in written test may not be shown to applicant under Section 8(1) J of RTI."
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 through VC.
Respondent: Shri Suprakash, CPIO-cum-Senior DPO, attended the hearing through VC.
5. The Appellant stated that the Respondent has not provided the complete information qua the instant RTI Application. He added that he has not received copy of assessment sheet till date.
6. The Respondent submitted that the relevant information in terms of the provision of the RTI Act has been given to the Appellant. He added that assessment sheet of selected candidates contains their personal information such as marks of APAR, Award and Penalty. He further apprised the bench of the fact that the relevant file has been handed over to CBI as an inquiry is pending in the averred case.
Page 4 of 87. A written submission has been received Shri Suprakash, CPIO-cum-
Senior DPO, vide letter dated 30.05.2025, a copy of which has been sent to the Appellant and the same has been taken on record. The relevant extract of the same is as under:
"1. आवेदक क9 CLI ( व यत ु ) जनरल "वोटा, वेतनमान K 9300-34800+4600 &ेड पे. (आरएसआरपी) लेवल-7 लोको (र)नंग) वभाग के पद पर पदो+न)त के लए, चयन के अ+तग-त .दनांक 17.05.2023 (बुधवार) को आयोिजत ल2खत पर45ा क9 उ7र प8क क9 )त संल:न है ।
2. CLI ( व यत ु ) जनरल "वोटा, लेवल-7 लोको (र)नंग) वभाग के पद पर पदो+न)त के लए चयन के अ+तग-त .दनांक 13. 05.2023 (श)नवार) एंव 17.05.2023 (बुधवार) को ल2खत पर45ा म@ सिGम लत सभी कम-चाBरयC के ाLतांको क9 सMया पत )त संल:न है । आवेदक के CLI ( व यत ु ) जनरल "वोटा क9 APAR के मा"स- 24 है । (वष- 2019-20-8, 2020-21-8, 2021-22-8) है ।
3. आवेदक के APAR के मा"स- एंव पर45ा म@ सिGम लत सम त कम-चाBरयो के ाLतांको क9 सMया पत )त मद 2 म@ दान कर द4 गई हS।
ASSESSMENT SHEET म@, पर45ा म@ उत ण कम-चाBरयC क9 Uयि"तगत सच ू ना होती ृ ीय प5कार से सGबि+धत हS, तथा के+W4य सूचना आयोग के हS। जोIक तत वारा करण संRया CIC/WECRL/A/2019/155052 म@ .दनांक 28.10. 2021 को ु ार, माननीय सवXYच +यायालय के CPIO सवXYच हुई सुनवाई म@ पाBरत आदे शानस +यायालय बनाम सुभाष च+W अ&वाल क9 स वल अपील संRया 10044/2010 एंव 10045/2010 और 2683/2010 म@ पाBरत )नण-य के अनस ु ार, तत ृ ीय प5कार क9 सूचना, दे य नह4ं हS। अतः माँगी गई सूचना के अHधकार अHध)नयम 2005 क9 धारा 8 (1) J के तहत ् सच ू ना दे य नह4ं हS।
आवेदक के आवेदन .दनांक 05.12.2023 के कम म@, ाथ को .दनांक 22.12.2023 को म]डल काया-लय कोटा म@ सGबि+धत द तावेजो का अवलोकन करवाया गया तथा अवलोकन के प^चात, ाथ वारा संतिु _ट Uय"त क9 जा चक ु 9 है । वत-मान म@ उ"त चयन से सGबि+धत सGपूण- प8ावल4 / द तावेज सीबीआई नई .दaल4 वारा सीज क9 जा चुक9 है ।"
Decision:
8. The Commission after adverting to the facts and circumstances of the case, hearing both the parties and perusal of the records, observes that the Respondent has not provided the complete information to the Page 5 of 8 Appellant. It is observed that the denial of information pertaining to assessment sheet of selected candidates by the Respondent citing Section 8 (1) (j) of the RTI Act is not convincing in view of a recent judgment dated 11.11.2024, passed by the Hon'ble High Court of Bombay, in W.P. No. 9648 of 2021 titled as Shri Onkar Dattatray Kalmankar Versus Public Information Officer and Registrar & Ors., wherein the Hon'ble Court has held that marks obtained by candidates in recruitment process to public posts can be disclosed under the Right to Information Act, 2005 and disclosure of the same will not amount to violation of candidates' privacy. The relevant para of the above judgment is reiterated below for ready reference:
"xxx
51. Since we have found that the disclosure of the marks obtained by the candidates in the written test, typing test and interviewers did not constitute any exempted information or did not affect the confidentiality of the exam so conducted, we must say that the approach of the District authorities in Wardha contributed to the promotion of transparency which should typically be promoted in matters of public recruitment. Withholding such information unnecessarily allows doubts, however unreasonable, to linger, which is not very healthy in promoting transparency and accountability in the working of public authorities and public recruitment processes. Regarding RTI, it is repeatedly asserted that sunlight is the best disinfectant.
52. Therefore, though the Wardha disclosure may not be binding precedents, we still think there was nothing wrong with the District Authorities at Wardha making such disclosures. By making such disclosures, the district authorities at Wardha cannot be said to have breached or acted in ignorance of the provisions in Section 8(1)(j) and Section 11 of the RTI Act or Rule 13(e) of the Maharashtra District Courts Right to Information (Revised Rules) 2009 or instructions no.19 issued to the candidates in the advertisement inviting applications for recruitment to the post of Junior Clerk.
53. Regarding the selection criteria, we are satisfied that such criteria are already reflected in the departmental recruitment rules and the instructions given to the candidates. Details of eligibility, age, and selection criteria are already disclosed in the instructions dated 28 March 2018. The petitioner, aggrieved by his non- selection, possibly wished to probe deeper and ascertain what was in the selectors' minds, notably when they marked the candidates in the interview test. This is perhaps the petitioner's intention because, in the appeal memo, the petitioner slipped in additional information regarding the interviewers' names, even though such information was never sought in the original application seeking information. Therefore, we agree with Mr Datar that there was no obligation to provide additional information about the criteria or the interviewers' names.Page 6 of 8
54. For all the above reasons, we partly allow this petition and set aside the impugned orders to the extent that they denied the petitioner disclosure of marks secured by him and the candidates from 1 to 363 in the written/screening test, Marathi and English typing test, and interview for the recruitment process for Junior Clerk at Pune District Court.
55. Further, We Direct the concerned respondents to furnish the petitioner with the marks obtained by candidates 1 to 363 in the written/screening test, Marathi and English typing test, and interview for the recruitment process for Junior Clerk at Pune District Court within six weeks of the Petitioner depositing the necessary costs with the PIO."
9. In view of the applicability of the above ratio, the Commission directs the Respondent to provide the relevant information regarding combined/aggregate marks of APAR grading for all the years along with marks of Award and Punishment as per the assessment sheet of the selected candidates, to the Appellant, within four weeks from the date of receipt of this order. If the Respondent requires assistance from any other office/officer for compliance with the above directions, the same shall be sought by invoking Section 5(4) of RTI Act. While complying with the above direction, the CPIO should ensure that only aggregate marks for APAR for each candidate are provided and not year-wise breakup to the Appellant.
10. In case the relevant record file is not available in the office of the Respondent Public Authority, the CPIO is directed to provide a suitable explanation to the Appellant accordingly.
11. The First Appellate Authority to ensure compliance with the directions.
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 Page 7 of 8 Copy To:
The FAA, O/o Divisional Railway Manager West Central Railway, New Railway Colony, Kota, Rajasthan - 324002 Page 8 of 8 Recomendation(s) to PA under section 25(5) of the RTI Act, 2005:-
Nil Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)