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Brij Bhushan Sharma vs Northern Railway Firozpur on 25 March, 2026

                                के ीय सूचना आयोग
                          Central Information Commission
                             बाबा गंगनाथ माग, मुिनरका
                           Baba Gangnath Marg, Munirka
                           नई िद ी, New Delhi - 110067

File No: CIC/NRALF/A/2024/634357

Brij Bhushan Sharma                                        .....अपीलकता/Appellant
                                     VERSUS
                                      बनाम
C.P.I.O,
Northern Railway
O/o the Divisional Railway Manager,
Station Road, Cantt. Area,
Firozpur - 152 001                                         .... ितवादी/Respondent

 Date of Hearing                     :       25-03-2026
 Date of Decision                    :       25-03-2026

INFORMATION COMMISSIONER :                   Swagat Das

Relevant facts emerging from appeal:

 RTI application filed on                :    18-04-2024
 CPIO replied on                         :    16-05-2024
 First appeal filed on                   :    20-05-2024
 First Appellate Authority's order       :    23-06-2024
 2nd Appeal/Complaint dated              :    09-08-2024

Information sought

:

1. The Appellant filed an RTI application dated 18-04-2024 seeking the following information:

"रे ल वभाग के प सं या 220-E/open mkt/ RRC/CEN 01/2019/Panel-FZR दनांक 26.04.2023 के अनुसार फ रोजपुर मंडल म मई 2023 को इकॉनॉ मक वीकर से शन के तहत पद Assistant TL&AC (level-1 of 7th CPC) पर नयु त उ मीदवार क स या पत सूची सूचना के अ धकार अ ध नयम 2005 क धारा 6(i) के तहत नधा रत अव ध म आवेदक को उपल ध कराई जाए।

(उ मीदवार का नाम, पता का नाम और थायी पता स हत) (copy enclosed)"

2. The CPIO furnished a reply to the Appellant on 16-05-2024 stating as under:

"In Reference to above, as per RTI para 8(J) and 2(F) your representation dt is not covered under RTI Act-2005 being Questioning/ Clarification/ 3rd party information."

3. The Appellant filed a First Appeal dated 20-05-2024. The F.A.A vide order dated 23-06-2024 stating as under:

"In reference to above, Reply already provided to you vide this office letter no. RTI/1/RC/FZR dt. 16.05.2024 stands good."

4. Feeling aggrieved and dissatisfied, Appellant approached the Commission with the instant Second Appeal.

Relevant Facts emerged during Hearing:

The following were present:-

Appellant: Present through Video-Conference.

Respondent: Shri Vas Dev, APO & APIO present through Video-Conference.

5. Proof of having served a copy of Second Appeal on Respondent while filing the same in CIC on 09.08.2024 is not available on record. Respondent confirms non-service.

6. Written submissions of the Respondent are taken on record.

7. The Appellant, during the hearing, reiterated the contents of his RTI application and instant appeal and submitted that till date information has not been provided to him and the same was wrongly denied to him. He stated that he has sought generic information, which can be provided under the RTI Act.

8. The Respondent while defending their case inter alia submitted that vide their letter dated 16.05.2024, they have categorically informed the Appellant that the information sought is personal information of third-

party, which is exempted from disclosure under Section 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act.

Decision:

9. The Commission has carefully considered the facts of the case, the submissions made by both parties, and the records available on file. At the outset, the Commission observes that the information sought by the Appellant pertains to the list of candidates appointed under a specified panel, which is essentially a matter of public record relating to recruitment in a Public Authority. While the Respondent has denied the information by invoking provisions relating to third-party personal information, the Commission finds that such denial is not wholly justified.

10. It is a settled position under the RTI Act that disclosure of names of selected/appointed candidates in public employment does not, per se, constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy, particularly when such information relates to a public activity like recruitment. Transparency in public appointments is a key component of accountability.

11. However, the Commission also takes note that certain details sought by the Appellant, such as father's name and full permanent address, may fall within the ambit of personal information, the disclosure of which could lead to an unwarranted invasion of privacy and is therefore protected under Section 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act, unless a larger public interest is established.

12. In view of the above, the Respondent is directed to provide the list of selected/appointed candidates (names only) against the relevant panel, as available on record.

13. The disclosure of father's name and permanent address is rightly exempted under Section 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act and need not be provided.

14. The above directions of the Commission should be complied within a period of two weeks from the date of receipt of this order.

15. The FAA is directed to ensure compliance of this order.

The appeal is disposed of accordingly.

Sd/-

Swagat Das ( ागत दास) Information Commissioner (सू चना आयु ) Authenticated true copy (अिभ मािणत स ािपत ित) (Archana Srivastva) Dy. Registrar 011 - 2610 7040 Date Copy To:

The First Appellate Authority, Northern Railway, O/o the Divisional Railway Manager, Station Road, Cantt. Area, Firozpur - 152 001 Brij Bhushan Sharma CIC/NRALF/A/2024/634357 Page 4 of 4 Recomendation(s) to PA under section 25(5) of the RTI Act, 2005:-

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