Central Information Commission
Seema Luthra vs Dr. B.R. Ambedkar National Institute Of ... on 28 January, 2026
केन्द्रीय सूचना आयोग
Central Information Commission
बाबा गंगनाथ मागग, मुननरका
Baba Gangnath Marg, Munirka
नई निल्ली, New Delhi - 110067
File No: CIC/DBRAN/A/2024/611410
Seema Luthra .....अपीलकर्ाग/Appellant
VERSUS
बनाम
CPIO,
Dr. B. R. Ambedkar National Institute of Technology
Jalandhar, RTI Cell, G. T. Road,
Amritsar Byepass, Jalandhar- Punjab-144008 ....प्रनर्वािीगण /Respondent
Date of Hearing : 20.01.2026
Date of Decision : 20.01.2026
INFORMATION COMMISSIONER : Sudha Rani Relangi
Relevant facts emerging from appeal:
RTI application filed on : 11.11.2023
CPIO replied on : 09.12.2023
First appeal filed on : 18.12.2023
First Appellate Authority's order : 30.01.2024
2nd Appeal/Complaint dated : Nil
Information sought:
1. The Appellant filed an RTI application dated 11.11.2023 seeking the following information:
SUB: Request for Detailed Action Report Regarding Harassment, False Commitments, and Evasive Information provided by Dean (Academic) and Associate Dean (Academic-PG). Seeking Information on Refund Policy and Grievance Handling Procedures.
Sir /Madam , Page 1 of 7 In the RTI application, I am seeking information from NIT Jalandhar regarding the refund process for the MSc course during the 2023-24 session for my son, Bhavay Luthra, with JAM Registration ID: PH317A068. Additionally, I am requesting details on the procedures followed by NIT Jalandhar officials after the submission of the refund application.
Request for Details on Correspondence Regarding Harassment and Financial Loss Caused by NIT Jalandhar Officials Several correspondences have been forwarded to the relevant authorities at NIT Jalandhar by me, seeking a response regarding the false commitments and evasive information provided by Prof. Harsh K. Verma, the Dean (Academic), and Dr. Rohit Mehra, the Associate Dean (Academic-PG).
Information Sought from the Public Information Officer
1. Kindly provide certified copies of all letters submitted to NIT Jalandhar concerning harassment to the RTI information seeker. Additionally, share the following information, index these letters with dates, subjects, and the individuals marked in the To and CC fields.
2. Kindly provide certified copies of the responses from the authorities for each letter written concerning the harassment caused by NIT Jalandhar officials, including false commitments and evasive information. If there is no response for any particular letter, please clearly mark it as "no response." Additionally, if the response was received after multiple reminders, please indicate the reminder number before the response.
3. Kindly provide certified copies of internal communications related to this issue.
4. Request the certified copy of the action report by NIT Jalandhar authorities against Prof. Harsh K. Verma, the Dean (Academic), and Dr. Rohit Mehra, the Associate Dean (Academic-PG), for providing misleading, false, and evasive information resulting in harassment and financial loss Request details about Associate Dean (Academic-PG) Dr. Rohit Mehra's response as the Person Incharge to the dietary health issue brought to his notice in the letter dated August 14, 2023.
The email addressed to Associate Dean (Academic-PG) Dr. Rohit Mehra on August 14, 2023, conveyed information about my son's medical condition, explicitly stating by him , "I suffer from celiac disease and have a gluten intolerance. I possess the necessary documentation to support this condition, Page 2 of 7 though it may not be in the exact format as stipulated." His response, presumably after reviewing the email, was, "Any medical certificate from a government hospital or dispensary will work."
The understanding was that NIT Jalandhar has the necessary facilities to provide a conducive environment for supporting students with such dietary issues. Information Sought from the Public Information Officer
1. Requesting clarification on the rationale behind the information provided by Associate Dean (Academic-PG) Dr. Rohit Mehra on August 14, 2023, as the designated contact person for coordinating admissions, while neglecting to address the information about NIT Jalandhar's incapability of providing a conducive environment to students with food-related health issues.
2. Seeking an explanation for the decision to refer the issue back to Dean (Academic) by the Director of NITJ. The escalation to the Director was made to highlight governance lapses by Associate Dean (Academic-PG) Dr. Rohit Mehra. However, Dean (Academic) Prof Harsh K Verma's response appeared manipulative and evasive, raising concerns about the intent to provide a fair solution.
3. Inquiring about the reason behind the Director of NITJ referring the issue with a statement on October 18, despite the letter being marked to him on October
13. Understanding the delay of 7 days in referring it to Dean (Academic).
Need information on discriminatory policies implementation , Taste and religious beliefs ,weigh more than the health issue of the student.
It is worth mentioning that NIT Jalandhar, while making efforts to cater to students' taste preferences and religious beliefs, by providing onion and garlic-free food, unfortunately, exhibits food discrimination by failing to offer gluten-free food options for students with dietary restrictions.
Information Sought from the PIO
1.Kindly provide information on the rules and regulations that permit NIT Jalandhar to offer special privileges such as providing onion and garlic-free food to certain students. This practice, while benefiting some students, seems to overlook those with dietary restrictions, raising concerns of discrimination and potential repercussions on the academic careers of affected students.
Page 3 of 7 Information on the refund policy as applicable on the NIT Jalandhar as the participant institute under CCMN / CCMT 2023 and clarification on the statement made by Professor Harsh K Verma Dean (Academic) Details provided on October 12, 2023, by Professor Harsh K Verma, Dean (Academic), concerning the student's refund.
"We are the participating institute and the counseling charges deposited by you are with CCMT/CCMN authorities and they are in the process of transferring the funds to the participating institutes.
The charges deposited during counseling by the candidates will be received by the participating institute probably within 1-2 weeks and the refund process will be initiated as per institute norms accordingly.
You are requested to wait for 1-2 weeks as at present we have not received any funds from CCMN authorities.
" Details of the fee deposited Information Sought from the PIO
1. Professor Harsh K Verma, Dean (Academic), claims an inability to process the refund deposited with CCMN authorities on June 30, 2023, and July 21, 2023, citing non- receipt of funds. Kindly provide the relevant rules and regulations guiding this decision.
2. Share the applicable rules and regulations of NIT Jalandhar that allowed the processing of a refund application deposited on August 15, 2023, only after the funds were transferred by CCMT/CCMN authorities.
3. The October 12, 2023 update from Professor Harsh K Verma suggested waiting for 1-2 weeks, implying until October 26, 2023. As of November 11, 2023, no update has been received, causing immense distress. Request the current status of the pending refund and the delay caused in days as per the assertion of Professor Verma .
4. Provide the rules and regulations governing actions against NIT Jalandhar officials, including Professor Harsh K Verma (Dean Academic) and Associate Dean (Academic- PG) Dr. Rohit Mehra, for disseminating false and evasive information causing distress to parents and students seeking admission.
5. Share information on the number of delays in resolving the refund issue upon bringing it to NIT Jalandhar's notice.
Kindly provide responses to each query point by point, in accordance with the relevant rules and regulations outlined in CCMN 2023 and NIT Jalandhar's policies."
Page 4 of 72. The CPIO furnished a reply to the Appellant on 09.12.2023 stating as under:
Sr No Contents Reply
The queries raised seek detailed The dietary needs (specific or
information on various aspects, other) of the hostel residents
including response from Associate are decided by the students
Dean (Academic PG) regarding a mess committee of the
dietary health issue, the rules and respective hostel. If any hostel
regulations governing NIT Jalandhar resident wishes to seek out for
decision to provide special privileges any specific dietary
for specific dietary needs, the refund requirements, he/she have to process timeline and delays, the rules approach the office of the guiding the handling of the refund respective supporting application, the current status of the documents (if any). The refund, and the rules and regulations proposed dietary requirements addressing the alleged harassment are provided after approval caused by NIT Jalandhar officials. from the mess committee/hostel warden.
The information requested aims. to hostel warden with supporting
understand and scrutinize the documents (if any). The
institution actions, policies, and proposed dietary requirements
adherence established guidelines in are provided after approval
these specific instances. from the mess
committee/hostel warden.
As, the rest of information is
ambiguous, therefore the
applicant is requested to the
seek the specific information.
3. Aggrieved by the decision of the CPIO, Appellant filed a First Appeal dated 18.12.2023. The CPIO vide letter dated 30.01.2024 in response to First Appeal furnished a revised reply to the Appellant.
4. Challenging the disposal of his First Appeal by the CPIO, Appellant filed the instant Second Appeal before the Commission.
Relevant Facts emerged during Hearing:
The following were present:-
Appellant: Not present.
Respondent: Shri Neeraj, Assistant Registrar (on behalf of Dr. Ajay Bansal, Registrar-cum-CPIO) present through video conference.Page 5 of 7
5. Written statement of the parties is taken on record.
6. Appellant remained absent during hearing despite service.
7. Representative of the CPIO stated that core issue raised by the Appellant in this matter revolved around the issue of non-receipt of refund of admission fee of her son, Mr. Bhavya Luthra for which she made multiple representations and later, the RTI application in question. He stated that whatever allegation levied by the Appellant regarding evasive reply and applicability of UGC Rules & Regulations on NIT, Jalandhar are baseless and denied by them. He apprised the Bench that Rules of UGC are not applicable to them and further the grievance of the Appellant was taken up with the higher authorities, as well.
8. On being pointed out by the Bench regarding the disposal of First Appeal by the CPIO which is in contravention of the RTI Act, 2005, CPIO's representative stated that it was done with the approval of First Appellate Authority concerned. Decision:
9. The Commission after adverting to the facts and circumstances of the case, hearing the Respondent and perusal of the records noted, at the outset, the CPIO disposed of the First Appeal vide impugned order which is not in line with the spirit of the RTI Act, 2005. Hence, the impugned order being untenable under the law and is thus, set aside.
10. In the given circumstances, the Commission finds it just and reasonable, in accordance with principles of natural justice, that a fair and proper hearing be conducted by the First Appellate Authority, by giving due opportunity to the parties to be present, either in person or through virtual hearing, to argue their case before the FAA. Hence, the present case is remanded back to the First Appellant Authority for fresh adjudication of the First Appeal on merits as per the provisions of the RTI upon providing fair opportunity to both the parties. The First Appeal shall be decided by a reasoned, speaking order on merits within four weeks from the date of receipt of order.
The appeal is disposed of accordingly.
Sd/-
Sudha Rani Relangi (सुधा रानी रे लंगी) Information Commissioner (सूचना आयुक्त) Authenticated true copy Page 6 of 7 (अनिप्रमानणर् सत्यानपर् प्रनर्) (Anil Kumar Mehta) Dy. Registrar 011- 26767500 Date Copy to:
The First Appellate Authority Dr. B. R. Ambedkar National lnstitute of Technology Jalandhar, RTI Cell, G. T. Road, Amritsar Byepass, Jalandhar- Punjab- 144008 Ms. Seema Luthra Page 7 of 7 Recomendation(s) to PA under section 25(5) of the RTI Act, 2005:-
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