Heard today dated 27.02.2013. Appellant not present. The public authority is represented by Shri Rajesh Ranjan, CVO (AA) and Shri Rakesh Bhardwaj, US (Vigilance).
2. The matter, in short, is that Dr M.K. Nair, Director (Retd), CPCRRI, Kasaragod, was issued a charge sheet for various acts of omission and commission some time in 1996. Pursuant thereto, he was also punished by the competent authority. Vide RTI application dated 25.07.2012, the appellant had sought a copy of the charge-sheet issued to said Dr Nair and a certified copy of the order passed by the competent authority.
3. The CPIO, vide letter dated 10.09.2012, had refused to disclose this information u/s 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act. The decision of the CPIO was upheld by the AA.
4. Dis-satisfied with the orders of the CPIO and AA, the appellant has filed the present appeal.
5. During the hearing, Shri Ranjan vehemently opposes disclosure of this information to the appellant on the ground that it is personal information relating to Dr Nair. Besides, it is a third party information.
6. It is apt to mention that in judgment dated 3rd October, 2012 in Girish Ramchander Deshpande V Central Information Commission, the Supreme Court had upheld the decision of CIC regarding non disclosability of chargesheet etc. to a third party u/s 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act. The ratio of the above decision squarely applies in the present case. The appeal, therefore, is dismissed. ( M.L. Sharma ) Information Commissioner Authenticated. Additional copies of the order shall be supplied on application and payment of fees, as per RTI Act, to the CPIO of the Commission. (K.L.Das) Dy Registrar Address of the Parties :
(l)The Under Secy & CPIO, (2) Shri C.K. Saidali, S/o Mammunhi Musliyar, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, K K Puram (House), Chengala, Krishi Bhavan, New Delhi 1 Kasaragod 671 541
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