Ravinder Kamboj vs Punjab National Bank on 23 January, 2020

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Central Information Commission

Ravinder Kamboj vs Punjab National Bank on 23 January, 2020

1. The issues under consideration arising out of the second appeal dated 13.04.2018 include non-receipt of the following information raised by the appellant through his RTI application dated 15.03.2018 and first appeal dated 19.03.2018:-

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(i) Kindly provide the total outstanding of M/s Geetanjli Jewellers and Nirav Modi towards your bank as on date.

(ii) Kindly provide the total loan granted to M/s Geetanjli Jewellers and Nirav Modi and also provide the complete details of security/collateral held by your bank as guarantee for the above mentioned loan.

(iii) Kindly provide the copy of third party audit conducted by your bank to verify the value of the collateral of M/s Geetanjli Jewellers and Nirav Modi.

(iv) Kindly provide the copy of file noting in which the said loan was processed to M/s Geetanjli Jewelers and Nirav Modi.

(v) Kindly provide the names of officials who were involved in granting of the above mentioned loan.

(vi) Kindly provide the copy of entire action taken report to realize the total loan back from Geetanjli Jewellers and Nirav Modi.

(vii) Kindly provide the copies of inspection report showing irregularities frauds and financial loss in the loan granted to M/s Geetanjli Jewellers and Nirav Modi.

2. Succinctly facts of the case are that the appellant filed an application dated 15.03.2018 under the Right to Information Act, 2005 (RTI Act) before the Central Public Information Officer (CPIO), Punjab National Bank, Circle Office, Mumbai, seeking aforesaid information. The CPIO replied on 17.03.2018. Dissatisfied with the response of the CPIO, the appellant filed first appeal dated 19.03.2018. The First Appellate Authority disposed of the first appeal vide order dated 10.04.2018. Aggrieved by this, the appellant has filed a second appeal dated 13.04.2018 before this Commission which is under consideration.

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3. The appellant filed the instant appeal dated 13.04.2018 inter alia on the grounds that the CPIO had refused to provide the information. The appellant has requested the Commission to direct the CPIO to provide the information immediately, award him compensation for not supplying the information within prescribed time limit and take necessary action as per sub-sections (1) of section 20 of the RTI Act.

4. The CPIO vide letter dated 17.03.2018 denied the information under clause

(h) of sub section (1) of section 8 of the RTI Act. The FAA vide his order dated 10.04.2018 agreed with the views taken by the CPIO.

5. The appellant remained absent and on behalf of the respondent Shri Bharat Wadhwa, Chief Manager & CPIO, Punjab National Bank, Bandra, attended the hearing through video conference.

5.1. The respondent while defending their case inter alia submitted that information sought by the appellant could not be given as the matter was under

investigation by the Central Investigations Agencies and disclosure of information at this stage would hamper their investigation process, hence, could not be given under Section 8 (1) (h) of the RTI Act. They further informed the Commission that the appellant was not in any way connected with this matter and the leakage of this information would also alert to the person remotely connected with this. Hence, they prayed to dismiss the matter.

6. The Commission after adverting to the facts and circumstances of the case, hearing the respondent and perusal of records, notes that due reply has already been provided vide letter dated 17.03.2018 and 10.04.2018. Moreover, the appellant was not present to controvert the averments made by the respondent and further agitate the matter. Hence, the submissions of the respondent are taken on record. The Commission further feels that there is no public interest in further prolonging the matter. Accordingly the appeal is dismissed. There appears to be no Page 3 of 4 public interest in further prolonging the matter. Accordingly, the appeal is dismissed.

Copy of the decision be provided free of cost to the parties.

Sd/-

(Suresh Chandra) (सुरेश चं ा) Information Commissioner (सूचना आयु ) दनांक/Date: 23.01.2020 Authenticated true copy R. Sitarama Murthy (आर. सीताराम मूत ) Dy. Registrar (उप पंजीयक) 011-26181927(०११-२६१८१९२७) Addresses of the parties:

CPIO :

PUNJAB NATIONAL BANK Circle Office, F-7, Maker Tower, Cuffe Parade, Mumbai - 400 005 THE F.A.A, PUNJAB NATIONAL BANK, Circle Office, F-7, Maker Tower, Cuffe Parade, Mumbai - 400 005 RAVINDER KAMBOJ Page 4 of 4

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