Central Information Commission
Mr. M Velmurugan vs Supreme Court Of India on 10 August, 2011
Central Information Commission, New Delhi
File No.CIC/WB/A/2010/000027SM
Right to Information Act2005Under Section (19)
Date of hearing : 10 August 2011
Date of decision : 10 August 2011
Name of the Appellant : Shri M Velmurugan
Mangoon Village, Nakkasalem PO,
Perambalur Distt - 621 118.
Name of the Public Authority : The Central Public Information Officer,
Supreme Court of India,
New Delhi.
The Appellant was present in person.
On behalf of the Respondent, the following were present:
(i) Smt. Smita V Sharma, CPIO,
(ii) Shri S.K. Dubey, Advocate
Chief Information Commissioner : Shri Satyananda Mishra
2. We heard this case through video conferencing. The Appellant was present in the Perambulur studio the NIC. The Respondents were present in our chamber. We heard their submissions.
3. The Appellant had requested the CPIO to list all the sections of the IPC and other such sections which bound the judges with various punishments. The CIC/WB/A/2010/000027SM CPIO had informed him that it was not his duty under the Right to Information (RTI) Act to offer interpretation of laws and statutes. The Appellate Authority had endorsed the response of the CPIO.
4. The Appellant, during the hearing, submitted that he wanted to know all the sections which bound the judges. It was pointed out to him that neither his RTI application nor his submissions were very clear about what exact information he wanted. We can make out that he wanted to know about those legal provisions which would bind a judge and make his acts punishable. This is clearly outside the purview of the Right to Information (RTI) Act. The CPIO has the responsibility of providing information already in the possession of a public authority. He cannot be expected to offer legal or other opinion of the nature sought by the Appellant. The Appellant can find out about this either from law books or by consulting legal experts in the matter.
5. This appeal has no merit. It is disposed off accordingly.
6. Copies of this order be given free of cost to the parties.
(Satyananda Mishra) Chief Information Commissioner Authenticated true copy. Additional copies of orders shall be supplied against application and payment of the charges prescribed under the Act to the CPIO of this Commission.
(Vijay Bhalla) Deputy Registrar CIC/WB/A/2010/000027SM