Central Information Commission
Mr.Pravin Tripathi vs Ministry Of Railways on 7 February, 2011
In the Central Information Commission
at
New Delhi
File No: CIC/AD/A/2010/001703
Date of Hearing : February 7, 2011
Date of Decision : February 7, 2011
Heard through Video Conferencing
Parties:
Applicant
Shri Pravin Tripathi
166G,
Mumbadevi Temple Compound
Mumbai.
Applicant was present along with Shri Samir Javeri.
Respondent(s)
Central Railway
O/o the Sr. DSC (RPF)'s Office
CST, Mumbai.
Represented by : Shri Praveen Chandra Sinha, Sr.Divl. Security Commissioner
& PIO
Information Commissioner : Mrs. Annapurna Dixit
___________________________________________________________________
Decision Notice
As given in the decision
In the Central Information Commission
at
New Delhi
File No: CIC/AD/A/2010/001703
ORDER
Background
1. The RTI Application dated 8.4.2010 was filed by the Applicant with the PIO, M/o Railway, Rail Bhawan, New Delhi seeking information against several points including information about Bail Bond books, money collected by releasing offenders on bail bonds, legal procedures, rules and regulations regarding release of offenders on bail bond, DAR action taken by the Railway Authorities against corrupt RPF Officers etc. The PIO replied on 18.8.2010 providing point wise information. Not satisfied with this reply the Applicant filed his first appeal on 5.6.2010 seeking the information once again. On not receiving any reply from the Appellate Authority, the Applicant filed his second appeal before the Commission on 17.9.2010.
Decision
2. During the hearing the Appellant submitted that he still wants the information against 2.b. 2.d, 2.e,
3.b of the second appeal. The Respondent however stated that he is not in a position to provide the information under section 8 (1) (h) of the RTI Act since based on the complaint filed by the Applicant's representative with the RPF in the instant case, the vigilance section has initiated an enquiry into the scam involving railway bond bail books and that at present the enquiry is still going on. In the light of the above mentioned submission, the Commission noted that it cannot authorize the disclosure of information under Section 8(1)(h) of the RTI Act.
3. With regard to the number of RPF offenders arrested by the CBI in the year 20072010 the Appellant stated that the number ought to be around 40 whereas the PIO had informed him that only five officers were involved in which two officers were dealt with under departmental action and remaining three officers were arrested. The Appellant's contention was that wrong information had been provided to him. The Respondent however clarified that the Appellant in his RTI application had sought information about RPF Officers who are those above the rank of ASI whereas now during the hearing he is seeking information about all officials including categories of the RPF below ASI rank , in which case the number would indeed be around 40 . The Commission accordingly directs the PIO to provide information regarding all officials including officers as also the lower category staff to the Appellant against this point. Information may be provided by 15 March, 2011.
4. The complaint is accordingly disposed of.
(Annapurna Dixit) Information Commissioner Authenticated true copy (G.Subramanian) Deputy Registrar Cc:
1. Shri Pravin Tripathi 166G, Mumbadevi Temple Compound Mumbai.
2. The Public Information Officer Central Railway O/o the Sr. DSC (RPF)'s Office CST, Mumbai.
3. The Appellate Authority Central Railway O/o the Sr. DSC (RPF)'s Office CST, Mumbai.
4. Officer Incharge, NIC.