Central Information Commission
Gagan Gupta vs Department Of Posts on 19 March, 2026
केन्द्रीय सूचना आयोग
Central Information Commission
बाबा गंगनाथ मागग,मुननरका
Baba Gangnath Marg, Munirka
नई निल्ली, New Delhi - 110067
नितीय अपील संख्या / Second Appeal No. CIC/POSTS/A/2024/612561
Gagan Gupta ... अपीलकताग/Appellant
VERSUS
बनाम
CPIO: Department of Posts,
Faridabad ...प्रनतवािीगण/Respondents
Relevant dates emerging from the appeal:
RTI : 25.12.2023 FA : 06.02.2024 SA : 20.03.2024
CPIO : 01.02.2024 FAO : 22.02.2024 Hearing : 23.02.2026
Date of Decision: 13.03.2026
CORAM:
Hon'ble Commissioner
_ANANDI RAMALINGAM
ORDER
1. The Appellant filed an RTI application dated 25.12.2023 seeking information on the following points:
➢ Seeking information under RTI Act 2005 w.r.t my PPF a/c ******1148 (CIF I'd:
******5604) closure application ➢ Please provide me information w.r.t questions below. I declare I am an Indian citizen, living at address mentioned on top of this letter and hold a NRI status.
1. Please could you provide date wise progress on the above application and which date it first came to your office for audit. [I submitted my PPF closure application CIC/POSTS/A/2024/612561 Page 1 of 7 (The reason my status changed to NRI) with all requested forms to Faridabad Sec 16A P.O. on 08/08/2023 in physical presence there].
2. Please provide information on prescribed timelines from department to settle such cases and if this has been over and beyond prescribed timelines.
3. Please provide information where the file has been stuck, and reasons for delay.
4. Post office's say the interest amount credited in account after I became NRI will be recovered, hence case is further submitted to SBCO (Audit) department of post office. Please could you provide relevant information of such rule and which year it came into practice.
5. Please provide worksheet/ account statement of interest amount recovered, and final amount settled / to be settled.
6. Please provide information if there is any procedure to cancel this account closure application, and submit a fresh application, as this account anyway is going to mature (over its 15 year) in a few months, if that will help with any non-reduction of interest being recovered.
7. Please provide a working phone number of the concerned post office Sec16A, Faridabad as the phone number 01292288406 mentioned on The Post Office website (https://www.postoffices.co.in/haryanahr/faridabad-02-sector-16a/) is not reachable.
8. Please provide information if the email id webinformationmanager@indiapost .gov.in is attended.
9. Please provide information if any work was done on my complaints dt 20-Oct-
2023 & 24-Oct-2023 to [email protected] about phone number mentioned on the Post Office website (https://www.postoffices.co.in/ haryana-hr/faridabad-02-sector-16a/) being incorrect.
CIC/POSTS/A/2024/612561 Page 2 of 72. The CPIO replied vide letter dated 01.02.2024 and the same is reproduced as under :-
"Point No.1 to 9 As per RTI Act-2005 only Indian Citizen can file the RTI."
3. Dissatisfied with the response received from the CPIO, the Appellant filed a First Appeal dated 06.02.2024 alleging that the information provided was incomplete, false and misleading. The FAA vide order dated 22.02.2024 directed the CPIO as under: -
"As the appellant is stating in his RTI that he is Indian Citizen living in United Kingdom holding NRI status there. Further, the appellant is asking information related to his personal PPF account. Therefore, SPOs Faridabad is directed to supply the correct and admissible information the appellant within 10 days of receipt of this letter within any extra fee. The appeal can be disposed off accordingly."
4. Aggrieved with the FAA's order, the Appellant approached the Commission with the instant Second Appeal dated 20.03.2024.
Hearing Proceedings & Decision:
5. The appellant attended the hearing through Audio conference and on behalf of the respondent Chander Kailash, Inspector of Posts attended the hearing in-person.
6. The appellant inter alia submitted that he had not received correct and admissible information, despite the directions of the FAA. Moreover, despite lapse of 7 months from his request for premature closure, his account had not been closed.
7. The respondent while defending their case inter alia submitted that revised point- wise information was provided by the CPIO, however, on being queried he was unable to elucidate the contents of the reply given thereof. The latest written submissions dated 22.03.2026 containing revised information, in taken on record and is reproduced as under:
CIC/POSTS/A/2024/612561 Page 3 of 7"Point No.1. The case related to Premature closure of PPF account no.2377161148 received at this office on 20.10.2023 from Sector-16A Post office Faridabad after completion of whole records/documents. Thereafter case was sent to Postmaster Faridabad NIT HO with direction to calculate the recovery of interest amount on 23.10.2023. Calculation sheet was received at this office on 03.11.2023 from Postmaster Faridabad NIT HO but said calculation sheet was incorrect not as per Rules. Again case was forwarded to Postmaster Faridabad NIT HO with direction to re- calculate the recovery of interest amount on 30.11.2023 and reminder letter on 04.01.2024. Incharge SBCO Faridabad send the calculation amount & command for recovery of amount from PPF Account has been generated by Incharge SBCO Faridabad on 19.01.2024. Thereafter Postmaster intimated the information of command (in system) to CPC Ambala for verification on 20.01.2024. CPC Ambala intimated that amount is showing different in system & requested to check and confirm. This office directed Postmaster Faridabad NIT HO to check the amount & confirm the same to CPC Ambala for further n/a. Thereafter Postmaster Faridabad NIT HO intimated that amount has been re-checked & same has been intimated to CPC Ambala on 09.02.2024. Thereafter CPC Ambala intimated that the command initiated by Incharge SBCO Faridabad will get effect automatically on 10.02.2023. Thereafter this office returned the whole case to Sub Postmaster Sector-16A Post office Faridabad for further settlement of the case at their end on 29.02.2024. Sub Postmaster Sector-16A Post office Faridabad returned the whole case & intimated that an error is showing while closing the account in system on 03.03.2024.
After receipt of case whole case was returned to Postmaster Faridabad NIT HO with direction to settle the case at their end as per the departmental rules on CIC/POSTS/A/2024/612561 Page 4 of 7 19.03.2024.
Point No.2. As per departmental rules there is no timelines for premature closure of PPF accounts due to technical issues.
Point No.3. Recovery amount has been initiated in system in r/o PPF account no.2377161148 & further closure of account is under process. After closure of account you be inform through email.
Point No.4. The information regarding rules available on India Post website www.indiapost.gov.in.
Point No.5. The information regarding recovery of interest amount can be obtained after recovery of amount & closure of account. Point No.6. Request for cancelation of PPF account no. 2377161148 can't be submitted as the Recovery amount has been initiated in said account. Point No.7. The mentioned URL is not a department portal. But the Landline number of Sector-16A Post office Faridabad is not active. Point No.8-9. Email ID [email protected] is managed by Web Information Manager, Bengaluru (Karnataka) not by this office. Landline number mentioned in URL is not valid as the said URL is not a department portal. Landline number of Sector-16A Post office Faridabad is not active. Kindly provide copy of complaint dated 20-oct-2023 & 24-Oct-2023 or complaint registration number."
8. The Commission after adverting to the facts and circumstances of the case, hearing both parties and perusal of records, observes that the reply given by the CPIO initially was incorrect since the applicant had declared himself as an NRI, hence, still held the status of being a citizen. Therefore, rejection of his application on the grounds of citizenship was improper. Besides, the respondent failed to comply with the directions of CIC/POSTS/A/2024/612561 Page 5 of 7 the First Appellant Authority and furnished the requisite information only upon receipt of the hearing notice. The Commission further observes that the representative of CPIO neither produced a proper authorization letter mentioning the name of the CPIO who delegated him as a representative, nor was he well-versed with the facts of the case. The CPIO concerned (R.A. Yadav) is cautioned for having delegated an unprepared representative who failed to assist the Commission properly and for omitting to mention his own name in the authorization letter. Further, the then CPIO (as on 01.02.2024) is show-caused for giving an incorrect reply and for not complying with the FAA's order timely; and the present CPIO is directed to obtain a proper written explanation from the CPIO concerned and send the same to the Commission both through post and via uploading on http://dsscic.nic.in/online-link-paper-compliance/add within 15 days of the receipt of this order, failing which, adverse action may be initiated against him under Section 20(1) of the RTI Act. Further, the latest reply dated 22.03.2026 is taken on record and is found to be in order. Accordingly, the appeal is disposed of.
Copy of the decision be provided free of cost to the parties.
Sd/-
(Anandi Ramalingam) (आनंदी रामल ंगम) Information Commissioner (सूचना आयुक्त) निनां क/Date: 13.03.2026 Authenticated true copy O. P. Pokhriyal (ओ.पी. पोखररयाल) Dy. Registrar (उप पंजीयक) 011-26180514 CIC/POSTS/A/2024/612561 Page 6 of 7 Addresses of the parties:
1. The CPIO, Office of the Supdt of Post Offices, Department of Posts, Faridabad Division, Faridabad, Haryana - 121001
2. Gagan Gupta CIC/POSTS/A/2024/612561 Page 7 of 7 Recomendation(s) to PA under section 25(5) of the RTI Act, 2005:-
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