Central Information Commission
Dr. Charu Sharma vs Bhagini Nivedita College on 12 December, 2025
के ीय सूचना आयोग
Central Information Commission
बाबा गंगनाथ माग, मुिनरका
Baba Gangnath Marg, Munirka
नई िद ी, New Delhi - 110067
File No: CIC/BHNVC/A/2024/120250
Dr. Charu Sharma .....अपीलकता/Appellant
VERSUS
बनाम
PIO,
PIO under RTI,
Office of the
Principal, Bhagini Nivedita
College (University of
Delhi), Kair, Near Najafgarh,
New Delhi-110043. .... ितवादीगण /Respondent
Date of Hearing : 09.12.2025
Date of Decision : 11.12.2025
INFORMATION COMMISSIONER : Vinod Kumar Tiwari
Relevant facts emerging from appeal:
RTI application filed on : 04.12.2023
CPIO replied on : 05.01.2024
First appeal filed on : 02.02.2024
First Appellate Authority's order : 06.03.2024
2nd Appeal/Complaint dated : 27.06.2024
Information sought:
1. The Appellant filed an RTI application dated 04.12.2023 (offline) seeking the following information:CIC/BHNVC/A/2024/120250 Page 1 of 13
"1. Provide all the documents which are attached in the emails in the supporting documents booklet in the memorandum dated 4.10.2023.
2.Provide the minutes of Governing Body Meeting of Bhagini Nivedita College held between 1.1.2019 till 15.11.2023.
3. Provide all resolutions and ratifications made in all Governing Body meetings of Bhagini Nivedita College held between 1.1.2019 till 15.11.2023.
4. Provide Rules and Ordinances of University of Delhi under which Fact- Finding Committee was constituted on 2.11.2021 by Governing Body, Bhagini Nivedita College with regards to Dr Charru Sharma.
5. Provide the copy of all documents and communications provided to members of Fact-Finding Committee on 10.02.2021.
6. Provide all communications via email from Officiating Principal Bhagini Nivedita College to chairperson between 04.04.2019 to 05.04.2022.
7. Provide all correspondence from the Chairperson Governing Body to Officiating Principal Bhagini Nivedita College from 04.04.2019 to 05.04.2022 via email.
8. Provide all correspondence by letters in the form of hard copy from Officiating Principal Bhagini Nivedita College to chairperson Governing Body from 04.04.2019 to 05.04.2022.
9. Provide all correspondence by letters in the form of hard copy from Chairperson to college from 04.04.2019 to 05.04.2022.
10. Provide all correspondence by email from Officiating Principal Bhagini Nivedita College to members of Governing Body from 04.04.2019 to 05.04.2022.
11. Provide all correspondence by email from members of Governing Body to Officiating Principal Bhagini Nivedita College from 04.04.2019 to 05.04.2022.CIC/BHNVC/A/2024/120250 Page 2 of 13
12.Copy of all correspondence by letters in the form of hard copy by Officiating Principal Bhagini Nivedita College to members of Governing Body, Bhagini Nivedita College from 04.04.2019 to 05.04.2022.
13.Copy of all correspondence by letters in the form of hard copy with diary number by members of Governing Body, Bhagini Nivedita College to Officiating Principal Bhagini Nivedita College from 04.04.2019 to 05.04.2022.
14. Provide the entire report of special audit for financial year 2017-18, for Bhagini Nivedita College.
15. Provide the entire report of special audit for financial year 2018-19 for Bhagini Nivedita College.
16 . Provide the entire report of special audit for financial year 2019-20 for Bhagini Nivedita College.
17. Provide the entire report of special audit for financial year 2020-2021 for Bhagini Nivedita College.
18. Provide the entire report of special audit for financial year 2021-2022 for Bhagini Nivedita College.
19. Provide all communication between Teacher in charges of all departments and the Officiating Principal Bhagini Nivedita College for the requirement of guest speakers/ invited lecturer/resource persons from 1.1.2017 till 15.11.2023
20. Provide all communications via email from Bhagini Nivedita College to Chairperson Governing Body regarding the appointment of guest faculty in various departments from 1.1.2017 till 15.11.2023.
21. Provide all communication via letters in the form of hard copy from Bhagini Nivedita College from 1.1.2017 till 15.11.2023 regarding the appointment of guest faculty in various departments from 1.1.2019 till 15.11.2023.
22. Provide appointment letters to guest faculty in various departments from 1.1.2016 till 15.11.2023.CIC/BHNVC/A/2024/120250 Page 3 of 13
23. Provide the complete Statute which is mentioned on Page no. 199 of the chargesheet as part of memorandum bearing number BNC/ADMN/23/619 dated 04.10.2023.
24. Provide all documents from Principal and Acting/Officiating Principal Bhagini Nivedita College to University of Delhi regarding appointment of guest faculty from 1.1.2017 till 15.11.2023.
25. Provide copies of all communications and correspondence by Chairperson Governing Body to the Officiating Principal Bhagini Nivedita College between 4.4.2019 to 10.4.2021.
26. Provide Letters/emails/memorandum issued to the Mr. Sandeep Verma from 1.1.2018 to 01.04.2021 by Principal and Acting/Officiating Principal Bhagini Nivedita College.
27. Provide list of each item mentioned as 'missing college properties' in as mentioned in the charge sheet as part of memorandum bearing number BNC/ADMN/23/619 dated 04.10.2023.
28. Provide specific list of personal files alleged as 'tempered as part of memorandum bearing number BNC/ADMN/23/619 dated 04.10.2023.
29. Provide specific details with names of staff/faculty and copies of their 'tampered personal files as mentioned as part of memorandum bearing number BNC/ADMN/23/619 dated 04.10.2023.
30. Provide all emails by Mr. Sandeep Verma mentioned as Annexure 6.4 on page no. 234 of the supporting document booklet as part of memorandum bearing number BNC/ADMN/23/619 dated 04.10.2023 that he states to have forwarded to Officiating Principal Bhagini Nivedita College with regards to complaints against Rachna Mohan.
31. Provide photographs and video recording as mentioned on page no. 242 of the supporting document booklet as part of memorandum bearing number BNC/ADMN/23/619 dated 04.10.2023.
32. Provide video recording as mentioned on page no. 242 of the supporting document booklet as part of memorandum bearing number BNC/ADMN/23/619 dated 04.10.2023.CIC/BHNVC/A/2024/120250 Page 4 of 13
33. Provide agenda of the Governing Body Bhagini Nivedita College meeting held on 25.08.2021.
34. Provide the list of names of all members of Admission committee of Bhagini Nivedita College for 2018-19.
35. Provide the list of names of all members of Admission committee of Bhagini Nivedita College for 2019-20.
36. Provide the list of names of all members of Admission committee of Bhagini Nivedita College for 2020-21.
37. Provide the list of each and every email send by DU Admission Branch to Bhagini Nivedita College from 01.03.2018 to 01.12.2020.
38. Provide each and every email send by Bhagini Nivedita College to DU Admission Branch from 01.03.2018 to 01.12.2020.
39. Provide all letters sent as hard copy by DU Admission Branch to Bhagini Nivedita College from 01.03.2018 to 01.12.2020.
40. Provide all letters sent as hard copy by Bhagini Nivedita College to DU Admission Branch from 01.03.2018 το 01.12.2020.
41. Provide each and every email sent by Officiating Principal Bhagini Nivedita College to Convenor. Admission Committee from 01.03.2020 to 01.12.2020.
42. Provide each and every email sent by Officiating Principal Bhagini Nivedita College to Co-convenor, Admission Committee from 01.03.2020 to 01.12.2020.
43. Provide a complete hard copy of letter sent by Officiating Principal Bhagini Nivedita College to convenor. Admission Committee from 01.03.2020 to 01.12.2020.
44. Provide all letters sent as hard copy by Officiating Principal Bhagini Nivedita College to Co-convenor, Admission Committee from 01.03.2020 to 01.12.2020.CIC/BHNVC/A/2024/120250 Page 5 of 13
45. Provide each and every email sent by Officiating Principal Bhagini Nivedita College to Prof. Shobha Bagai, Dean Admissions, University of Delhi from 01.03.2020 to 01.12.2020.
46. Provide all letters sent as hard copy by Officiating Principal Bhagini Nivedita College to Prof. Shobha Bagai, Dean Admissions, University of Delhi from 01.03.2020 to 01.12.2020.
47. Provide each and every email sent by Officiating Principal Bhagini Nivedita College to Dr. Harneet Gandhi, University of Delhi from 01.03.2020 to 01.12.2020.
48. Provide all letters sent as hard copy by Officiating Principal Bhagini Nivedita College to Dr. Harneet Gandhi, University of Delhi from 01.03.2020 to 01.12.2020.
49.Provide entire documents mentioned as Appendix I from Page no 309 onwards of supporting document booklet as part of memorandum bearing number BNC/ADMN/23/619 dated 04.10.2023stating college wise list of courses and numbers of seats available.
50. Provide entire documents mentioned as Appendix II from Page no 312 onwards of supporting document booklet as part of memorandum bearing number BNC/ADMN/23/619 dated 04.10.2023 stating combination and seats of discipline paper offered by colleges in B.A (program).
51. Provide entire documents mentioned as Appendix III from Page no 313 onwards of supporting document booklet as part of memorandum bearing number BNC/ADMN/23/619 dated 04.10.2023stating college wise fees of Courses.
52. Provide the entire documents of page no. 315 of supporting document booklet as part of memorandum bearing number BNC/ADMN/23/619 dated 04.10.2023.
53. Provide the entire documents of page no. 316 of supporting document booklet as part of memorandum bearing number BNC/ADMN/23/619 dated 04.10.2023.
54.Provide the entire documents of Appendix II (combination and seats of discipline paper offered by college in BA program) on page no. 321 of CIC/BHNVC/A/2024/120250 Page 6 of 13 supporting document booklet as part of memorandum bearing number BNC/ADMN/23/619 dated 04.10.2023.
55. Provide the entire documents mentioned as Appendix II from page no. 325 onwards of supporting document booklet as part of memorandum bearing number BNC/ADMN/23/619 dated 04.10.2023 stating combination and seats of discipline paper offered by Bhagini Nivedita College in BA program.
56. Provide the entire document beginning from page no 328 of the supporting document booklet as part of memorandum bearing number BNC/ADMN/23/619 dated 04.10.2023.
57. Provide the entire document beginning from page no 330 of the supporting document booklet as part of memorandum bearing number BNC/ADMN/23/619 dated 04.10.2023.
58. Provide the entire document beginning from page no 331 of the supporting document booklet as part of memorandum bearing number BNC/ADMN/23/619 dated 04.10.2023.
59. Provide the complete trail of emails mentioned as Annexure 9.12 on page no 334 of the supporting document booklet as part of memorandum bearing number BNC/ADMN/23/619 dated 04.10.2023.
60. Provide the letter dated 16.2.2021 referred in the letter on page no 358 of the supporting document booklet as part of memorandum bearing number BNC/ADMN/23/619 dated 04.10.2023.
61. Provide all documents prepared by SO A/c's Mr. Alok Shukla in relation to pay fixation of Officiating Principal Bhagini Nivedita College between 10.10.2019 to 03.04.2021.
62. Provide all documents prepared by SO A/c Mr. Alok Shukla in relation to Salary of Officiating Principal of Bhagini Nivedita College from 04.04.2019 to 15.11.2023.
63. Provide Copy of rule/notification of University of Dehi regarding Fixation of Pay of Officiating Principal, University of Delhi.
64. Provide each and every communication via email by Officiating Principal Bhagini Nivedita College to all faculty members of Bhagini CIC/BHNVC/A/2024/120250 Page 7 of 13 Nivedita College regarding pre-screening / verification committee for promotion of teachers from 04.04.2019 to 03.04.2021.
65. Provide each and every communication through letters sent as hard copy by Officiating Principal Bhagini Nivedita College to all faculty of Bhagini Nivedita College regarding pre-screening /verification committee for promotion of teachers from 04.04.2019 to 03.04.2021.
66. Provide copy of email by Officiating Principal Bhagini Nivedita College to Dr. Nirmal Rana, Member of Verification/ Pre- Screening committee for promotion of teacher, email dated 30.10.2020 mentioned on page no
362.
67. Provide copy of email by Officiating Principal Bhagini Nivedita College to Dr. Nalini Mathur, Member of Verification/ Pre- Screening committee for promotion of teacher.
68. Provide complete trail of emails with attached documents mentioned on Page no. 362 of the supporting document booklet as part of memorandum bearing number BNC/ADMN/23/619 dated 04.10.2023.
69.Provide all correspondence via email by Officiating Principal of Bhagini Nivedita College with University of Delhi regarding promotion of Teachers of Bhagini Nivedita College.
70. Provide all correspondence done via email by University of Delhi with Officiating Principal Bhagini Nivedita College regarding promotion of Teachers of Bhagini Nivedita College from 04.04.2019 to 03.04.2021.
71. Provide all letters sent as hard copy by Officiating Principal Bhagini Nivedita College to University of Delhi regarding promotion of Teachers of Bhagini Nivedita College from 04.04.2019 to 03.04.2021.
72. Provide all letters sent as hard copy by University of Delhi to Officiating Principal Bhagini Nivedita College regarding promotion of Teachers of Bhagini Nivedita College from 04.04.2019 to 03.04.2021.
73. Provide all communications via email to all faculty members by Officiating Principal Bhagini Nivedita College regarding promotions from 04.04.2019 to 03.04.2021.CIC/BHNVC/A/2024/120250 Page 8 of 13
74. Provide all communication via email from all faculty members to Officiating Principal Bhagini Nivedita College regarding promotions from 04.04.2019 to 03.04.2021.
75.Provide the list of names of teachers along with the name of their department, date when screening committee was held for their promotions and the level at which their promotion was done from 04.04.2019 to 03.04.2021.
76. Provide the list of names of teachers along with the name of their department, date and diary number of submission of their of application form for their promotion from 04.04.2019 to 03.04.2021.
77.Provide the list of names of teachers along with the name of their department, date when verification/pre-screening committee verified the promotion forms of each teacher from 04.04.2019 to 03.04.2021."
2. The CPIO furnished a reply to the Appellant on 05.01.2024 stating as under:
"As per the Section 3 of The RTI Act 2012 and section 7(9) and 8(1)(h) of the RTI Act 2005 the information asked for cannot be provided under the above clauses due to the reason that the same information has already been asked by you in the letter dated 16/11/2023 in response to the charge sheet/ office memorandum dated 4/10/2023 which is under consideration with the college authorities."
3. Being dissatisfied, the Appellant filed a First Appeal dated 02.02.2024. The FAA vide its order dated 06.03.2024, held as under:
"This is reference to the first appeal dated 02.02.24 filed by you in response to the reply of PIO dated 05.01.24 on your application dated
04.12.23.
On perusal of the RTI application, reply by the PIO, the undersigned is satisfied with the reply of PIO. It is also a matter of record that the college has already replied and provided the for additional required documents (wherever necessary) in response to your letter filed by you information and documents in continuation to the charge sheet issued to you in which similar information was asked by you in RTI application."
CIC/BHNVC/A/2024/120250 Page 9 of 134. Feeling aggrieved and dissatisfied, Appellant approached the Commission with the instant Second Appeal.
Relevant Facts emerged during Hearing:
The following were present:-
Appellant: Absent Respondent: Shri Pardeep, Jr. Assistant, appeared in person.
5. Proof of having served a copy of Second Appeal on Respondent while filing the same in CIC on 27.06.2024 is available on record.
6. The Respondent while defending their case inter alia submitted that they had filed detailed written submissions dated Nil disclosing complete facts of the case and requested the Commission to place the same on record, copy of the same was sent to the Appellant. The relevant paras of the written submission are reproduced as under:
1. A Chargesheet was served to Dr. Charru Sharma, Associate Professor, Department of Home Science vide Memorandum No.BNC/ADMN/23/619 dated 04.10.2023 (copy enclosed as ANNEXURE-I). A supporting document booklet containing 535 pages was also attached with the Chargesheet served to Dr. Charru Sharma. All pages of the supporting document booklet were legible and clear.
2. In response to the Chargesheet, Dr. Charru Sharma vide letter dated 23.10.2023 (sent to the college by email on 25.10.2023) stated that "Most of the documents are either incomplete or not legible." and requested to provide the legible copies of 131 pages (serial number of pages mentioned in her letter). (copy enclosed as ANNEXURE-II)
3. In response to the letter dated 23.10.2023 (email dated 25.10.2023), the college provided the legible and clear copies of the requested pages vide letter dated 09.01.2024. (Copy of the letter is enclosed as ANNEXURE-III).
4. Dr. Charru Sharma vide letter dated 16.11.2023 (email sent to the college on 29.11.2023) submitted a representation for furnishing referred documents in Memorandum dated 04.10.2023 along with Statement of CIC/BHNVC/A/2024/120250 Page 10 of 13 Charges. In this representation she had asked for the voluminous record for each Article of Charges of the Chargesheet served to her. For example:
Article 1:
Documents asked in S. No. (i) to (xii) Article 2:
Documents asked in S. No. (i) to (v) Article 3:
Documents asked in S. No. (i) to (vi) Article 4:
Documents asked in S. No. (i) Article 5:
Documents asked in S. No. (i) Article 6:
Documents asked in S. No. (i) to (vii) Article 9:
Documents asked in S. No. (i) to (xxvi) Article 10:
Documents asked in S. No. (i) to (iv) Article 11:
Documents asked in S. No. (i) to (xiv) Copy of the above letter dated 16.11.2023 (email dated 29.11.2023) is enclosed for your ready reference please (ANNEXURE-IV) CIC/BHNVC/A/2024/120250 Page 11 of 13
5. In response to the letter dated 16.11.2023 (email dated 29.11.2023), a letter dated 31.01.2024 was sent to Dr. Charru Sharma along with the 380 pages as referred documents. It may please be noted that these 380 pages were over and above the 535 pages of supporting documents already provided to Dr. Charru Sharma with the Memorandum dated 04.10.2023.
Copy of the letter dated 31.01.2024 sent to Dr. Charru Sharma is enclosed for your kind perusal please.
(ANNEXURE-V) It is submitted that the college had denied the information/documents to Dr. Charru Sharma asked the similar information/documents in her letter dated 16.11.2023 (as mentioned above at Sl. No.4) and the same was under
consideration with the college authorities. Due to this, college denied the information/documents with the apprehension to sabotage the inquiry process by Dr. Charru Sharma. It may also be noted that the college had provided the information/documents later on vide letter dated 31.01.2024 (as mentioned above at Sl.No.5) (in response to her letter dated 16.11.2023) and other documents from time to time during the course of hearing by the Inquiry Committee."
Decision:
7. The Commission after adverting to the facts and circumstances of the case, hearing the Respondent and perusal of the records, noted that the Appellant remained absent during the hearing, despite due notice. In the absence of any oral submissions from the Appellant, the Commission proceeds to decide the matter on the basis of the material available on record.
8. From a perusal of the case records, it is evident that the Appellant had sought voluminous and wide-ranging information, much of which pertained to documents forming part of, or connected with, disciplinary proceedings initiated against her vide Memorandum dated 04.10.2023. The record reveals that a supporting document booklet comprising 535 pages was supplied along with the charge sheet. Subsequently, upon the Appellant's request pointing out issues of legibility, the Respondent provided clear and legible copies of the identified pages. Further, in response to the Appellant's representation dated 16.11.2023, the Respondent furnished additional documents amounting to 380 pages, over and above the documents already supplied, vide letter dated 31.01.2024.
CIC/BHNVC/A/2024/120250 Page 12 of 139. The Commission also notes that the First Appellate Authority, after due examination, found the reply of the CPIO to be satisfactory and recorded that the information sought through the RTI application substantially overlapped with information already sought and provided in the context of the disciplinary proceedings.
10. In this backdrop, the Commission is of the considered view that the Respondent has adequately discharged its obligations under the RTI Act, and there is no material on record to establish any deliberate denial or mala fide withholding of information. The Commission further observes that the RTI Act is not intended to be used as a mechanism to interfere with or pre-empt ongoing disciplinary proceedings, especially when the relevant documents have already been provided through appropriate administrative channels.
11. In the absence of any contrary evidence or submissions from the Appellant, and in view of the fact that the information sought has either already been furnished or legitimately denied in accordance with the provisions of the RTI Act, the Commission finds no reason to interfere with the reply of the CPIO or the order of the FAA.
The appeal is dismissed 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:
FAA under RTI, Bhagini Nivedita College, Kair, Near Najafgarh, New Delhi - 110043 CIC/BHNVC/A/2024/120250 Page 13 of 13 Recomendation(s) to PA under section 25(5) of the RTI Act, 2005:-
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