Ajit Pawar Judgement
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Transcript of Ajit Pawar Judgement
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INTHEHIGHCOURTOFJUDICATUREATBOMBAYCIVILAPPELLATEJURISDICTIONWRITPETITIONNO.8753OF2013
ShaileshGandhi )Adult,Agedabout66years )Hindu,IndianInhabitant,residingat )B2,GokulApartment,PodarRoad, )Santacruz,(West)Mumbai400054 ) ..Petitioners
Versus
1TheCentralInformationCommission )R.No.326,CWing,IIFloor, )AugustKrantiBhavan )BhikajiCamaPlace,NewDelhi110066 )
2TheCentralPublicInformationOfficer )Asst.CommissionerofIncomeTax18(2) )PiramalChambers,1stfloor,Room,No.15)Lalbaug,Mumbai400012 )
3ShriAjitAPawar )TheDeputychiefMinisterof )StateofMaharashtra )Deogiri,NarayanDabholkarRoad, )MalabarHill,Mumbai400006 ) ..Respondents
ShriJabbarShaikhi/bMr.SandeepJalanforthePetitionerShriRaviKadamSeniorAdvocate,i/bMr.V.P.SawantfortheRespondentNo.3Mr.A.R.MalhtorawithMr.N.A.KazifortheRespondentNo.2
CORAM: R.M.SAVANT,J.RESERVEDON: 6thMAY,2015PRONOUNCEDON:11thJUNE2015
JUDGMENT
1 Rule,withtheconsentoftheLearnedCounselforthepartiesmade
returnableforthwithandheard.
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2 TheWritJurisdictionofthisCourt is invokedagainsttheorder
dated1552013passedbytheRespondentNo.1i.e.theCentralInformation
Commissionbywhichorder,theSecondAppealfiledbythePetitionerunder
theRighttoInformationAct2005,(hereinafterreferredtoasthesaidAct)
cametobedismissedandresultantly,theorderspassedbytheCentralPublic
InformationOfficer(CPIOforshort)oftheIncomeTaxDepartmentandthe
order dated 522013 passed by the First Appellate Authority came to be
confirmed.
3 ThePetitionerabovenamedclaimstobeanRTIactivistandisa
formerCentralInformationCommissioner(CIC).Presently,thePetitioneristhe
Chairman of the Technical Advisory Committee set up by the Municipal
CorporationofGreaterMumbaitoadviseonRTI,inahonorarycapacity.
4 ThePetitioneronorabout21112012madeanapplicationunder
Section6ofthesaidAct,totheCPIOoftheIncomeTaxDepartmentinteralia
requestingcertaininformationandmoreparticularlytheIncomeTaxReturns
andbalance sheets of the Respondent No.3 herein for the preceding three
years.ThePetitionerinthesaidapplicationjustifiedtheinformationsoughtby
statingtothefollowingeffect:Thereisalargerpublicinterestindisclosing
thisinformationtocomparehisaffidavitgiventotheElectionCommissionwith
hisIncomeTaxreturns.SincetheinformationrelatedtotheRespondentNo.3
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whoisathirdparty,itseemsthatintermsofSection11ofthesaidAct,aletter
wasaddressedbytheCPIOtotheRespondentNo.3.Areplywasreceivedfrom
theRespondentNo.3opposingthedisclosureofanyinformation.TheCPIOof
theIncomeTaxDepartmentthereafterbyherorderdated212013deniedthe
saidinformationsoughtbythePetitioner.Itwasobservedinthesaidorderthat
theinformationsoughtforhasnorelationshiptoanypublicactivityorinterest
andthereforedoesnotqualifyinviewoftheprovisionsofSection8(1)(j)of
thesaidAct.ThePetitionerwashoweverinformedthatifheisaggrievedby
the said order, he may file an Appeal before the First Appellate Authority
whosedesignationwasmentionedinthesaidorder.
5 ThePetitioneraccordinglyfiledaFirstAppealunderSection19of
thesaidAct.ThesaidAppealinteraliacontainedthegroundsonwhichthe
orderwaschallenged,oneofthegroundsintheAppealwasthatthedisclosure
of the information to another person cannot be construed as being
unwarrantedinvasionoftheprivacyof theindividual.Anothergroundthat
wassetoutwasthatthefulfillmentofthestatutoryrequirementswouldnotbe
covered by the exemption contemplated under Section 8(1)(j). A further
groundwhichwassetoutwasthattheinformationwhichcannotbedeniedto
Parliament,acitizenwouldbeentitledtothesameinformation,asParliament
itselfderiveditslegitimacyfromthecitizens,andlastlyitwassetoutthatthe
standardofdisclosureforthosewhowanttobepublicservantshasbeenset
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higherbytheApexCourtintheJudgmentinUnionofIndiaVs.Association
for Democratic Reforms & Anr.(ADR)1. The said order was therefore
challengedonthegroundthatexemptionunderSection8(1)(j)doesnotapply.
6 TheFirstAppealwasconsideredbytheAppellateAuthorityi.e.the
Additional Commissionerof IncomeTax18(2)whobyhis orderdated52
2013rejected the said Appeal. TheFirst Appellate Authority reiterated the
groundsonwhichtheinformationwasdeniedbytheCPIO.TheFirstAppellate
AuthorityreferredtotheJudgmentoftheApexCourtinthecaseof Girish
Ramchandra Deshpande Vs. Central Information Commission & Ors.2
whereintheApexCourthasheldthatthedetailsdisclosedbyapersoninhis
Income Tax returns is personal information which stands exempted from
disclosureunderclause(1)ofSection8(j)ofthesaidActunlesslargerpublic
interestisinvolved.TheFirstAppellateAuthorityheldthatinviewofthethird
party'sobjectionasalsoinviewofthedecisionoftheApexCourtin Girish
Ramchandra Deshpande's case (supra), the information sought by the
PetitionerfallsundertheexemptedcategoryspecifiedunderSection8(1)(j)of
the said Act. The First Appellate Authority further observed that the said
information is a personal information the disclosure of which has no
relationship to any public activity or interest and which would cause
unwarranted invasionof the privacyof the concernedparty. Hence on the
1 (2002)5SupremeCourtCases2942 (2013)1SupremeCourtCases212
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aforesaidgrounds,theAppealfiledbythePetitionercametoberejected.
7 ThePetitionerthereafterfiledaSecondAppealbeforetheCentral
Information Commission, New Delhi. The Petitioner in the Second Appeal
relieduponthejudgmentoftheApexCourtinthematterofR.Rajgopalalias
R.R.Gopal&Anr.Vs.StateofTamilNadu&Ors.3andtheJudgmentofthe
ApexCourt in AssociationforDemocraticRights's case(supra), aground
was raised that the judgment of the Apex Court in Girish Ramchandra
Desphande'scase(supra)hasbeenrenderedwithoutconsideringthesaidtwo
judgmentsasalsowithoutconsideringtheprovisotothesaidSection8(1)(j)of
the said Act. The said Second Appeal filed by the Petitioner came to be
disposedofbytheCentralInformationCommissionerbyupholdingtheorders
passedbythePublicInformationOfficerandtheFirstAppellateAuthority.The
CentralInformationCommissionerinhisorderreferredtothe5MemberBench
Judgment dated 562009 of the Commission wherein the said 5 Member
BenchhadheldthatIncomeTaxReturnshavebeenrightlyheldtobepersonal
informationexemptedfromdisclosureunderclause8(1)(j)ofthesaidAct.The
SecondAppellateAuthorityalsoreferredtothejudgmentoftheApexcourtin
Girish Ramchandra Deshpande's case (supra) holding that the details
disclosedbyapersoninhisIncomeTaxReturnsispersonalinformationwhich
hasbeenexemptedfromdisclosureunderclause(j)ofSection8(1)ofthesaid
Act, unless involved a larger public and the CPIO and or State Public
3 (1994)6SupremeCourtCases632
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InformationOfficerortheAppellateAuthorityissatisfiedthatthelargerpublic
interestjustifiesthedisclosureofsuchinformation.TheCentralInformation
CommissionerhasobservedthatinthepresentAppealthePetitionerhasnot
beenabletoproveanylargerpublicinterestwithcorroborativeevidenceand
thereforeupheldthedecisionsoftheCentralPublicInformationOfficerand
the First Appellate Authority and disposed of the said Second Appeal. As
indicatedabove,itisthesaidorderdated1532015,passedbytheCentral
InformationCommissionerwhichistakenexceptiontobywayoftheabove
Petition.
An Affidavit in Reply dated 2722014 is filed on behalf of the
RespondentNo.2.TheLearnedCounsel forthePetitionersubmittedWritten
Submissionson752015.
SUBMISSIONS OF THE LEARNED COUNSEL MR. JABBAR SHAIKH ON
BEHALFOFTHEPETITIONER
(i) ThattheCentralPublicInformationOfficer,theFirstAppellateAuthority
and the Central Information Commissioner have erred in rejecting the
applicationfiledbythePetitionerseekingtheIncomeTaxReturnsfor3yearsof
theRespondentNo.3whichhavebeensoughtforbythesaidapplicationonthe
groundthatthesaidinformationisexemptedunderSection8(1)(j)ofthesaid
Act.
(ii) Thatallthethreeauthoritiesbelowhavefailedtoappreciatethatthe
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filingoftheIncomeTaxReturnsisapublicactivityandisamatterofpublic
interest and hence privacy of the Respondent No.3 is not breached if the
IncomeTaxReturnsareprovidedtotheApplicant.
(iii) That Section 8(1)(j) itself postulates that the larger public interest
justifiesthedisclosureoftheinformationsoughtbytheApplicantthenthesaid
informationhastobeprovided.Theauthoritiesbelowhavefailedtoappreciate
thereasonwhy the Applicant was seeking the said informationwhichwas
soughtbyhimbytheapplicationinquestion.
(iv) Thattheauthoritiesbelowhaveerredinapplyingthejudgmentofthe5
MemberBenchoftheInformationCommissionasalsotheJudgmentofthe
ApexCourtin GirishRamchandraDeshpande'scase (supra)asthefactsin
thesaidcasesaredistinguishablefromthefactsofthepresentcase.
(v) ThattheJudgmentin GirishRamchandraDeshpande's case(Supra)
doesnotlaydownanypropositionoflawandthereforecannotbeapplied.
(vi) ThatthedisclosureoftheinformationsoughtforbytheApplicantwould
beinlargerpublicinterestwhichoutweighsthebreachofprivacyifanyofthe
RespondentNo.3.
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(vii) That the authorities below failed to consider the application on the
touchstoneoftheprovisotoSection8(1)(j)ofthesaidActnamelythatthe
informationwhichcannotbedeniedtotheParliamentortheStateLegislature
cannotbedeniedtoacitizen.
(viii) ThataDivisionBenchofthisCourtinthecaseofSurupSinghNaikVs.
StateofMaharashtra4hasdealtwiththeprovisotoSection8(1)(j)andhas
held in the said case that the information which cannot be denied to the
ParliamentortheStateLegislaturecannotbedeniedtothecitizen.
(ix) That thedisclosureof theinformation is in largerpublic interesthas
been demonstrated by the Petitioner by making out a case in the Appeal
namelythatthesamewouldamounttoreducingcorruptionandincreasingthe
faithintheelectedrepresentatives.
(x) Thatthe judgment in GirishRamchandraDeshpande's case (supra)
doesnotlaydownanylawandthesaidJudgmentwaspurelybasedonfacts
and circumstances of the case and therefore has no precedential value.
RelianceissoughttobeplacedonthefollowingjudgmentsoftheApexCourt
(1)(1979)3SupremeCourtCases745inthematterofDalbirSingh&Ors.
Vs.StateofPunjab
4 AIR2007Bom121
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(2)(1992)1SupremeCourtCases489inthematterofStateofPunjab&Ors.
Vs.SurinderKumar&Ors.
(3)(2002)8SupremeCourtCases361inthematterofS.ShanmugavelNadar
Vs.StateofT.N.&Anr.
(xi) ThatithasbeenheldinthematterofPUCLVs.UnionofIndia5asalso
inthematterofR.RajgopalaliasR.R.Gopal&Anr.Vs.StateofT.N.&Anr.6
andinthecaseofADRVs.PUCL7thatthepublicinterestelementinvolvedin
divulginginformationrelatingtopublicservants,MP'sandMinistersoutweighs
therighttoprivacy.
SUBMISSIONOFTHELEARNEDCOUNSELMR.MALHOTRAON BEHALF
OFTHERESPONDENTNO.2
(i) ThattheorderspassedbytheCPIO,theFirstAppellateAuthorityandthe
Central Information Commissioner cannot be faulted with in view of the
JudgmentoftheApexCourtinthematterof R.K.JainVs.UnionofIndia&
Anr.8andtheJudgmentofthe5MemberbenchoftheCommissionerwhereby
ithasbeenheldthattheIncomeTaxReturnsfallintheexemptedcategory
underSection8(1)(j)ofthesaidAct.
5 AIR2003SC23636 (1994)6SupremeCourtCases6327 (2002)5SCC2948 (2013)14SupremeCourtCases794
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(ii) ThatthePetitionerhasnotbeenabletoconnecttheinformationsought
i.e.theIncomeTaxReturnsoftheRespondentNo.3withanypublicactivityof
theRespondentNo.3andthereforetheauthoritieswererightinrefusingto
providetheinformationtothePetitioner.
SUBMISSIONOFTHELEARNEDSENIORCOUNSELMR.R.M.KADAMON
BEHALFOFTHERESPONDENTNO.3
(i) That from the reason mentioned in the application for seeking the
information that the Petitioner/Applicant has sought in respect of the
Respondent No.3 no case of public interest has made out and hence the
Petitionerhasfailedtodischargetheburdenwhichwouldentitlehimtothe
saidinformation.RelianceisplacedonthejudgmentoftheApexCourtinthe
matterofBiharPublicServiceCommissionVs.SaiyedHussanAbbasRizvi
&Anr.9
(ii) That the information sought namely the Income Tax Returns of the
RespondentNo.3hasnorelationwithanypublicactivityoftheRespondent
No.3
(iii) ThatinviewoftheJudgmentoftheApexCourtinGirishRamchandra
Deshpande's case (supra) whichhasbeenreiteratedbytheApexCourt in
9 (2012)13SCC61
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R.K.Jain's case(supra), theinformationrelatingtotheIncomeTaxReturns
fallswithintheexemptedcategoryunderSection8(1)(j)andsincenocaseof
public interest has been made out by the Petitioner, the said information
cannotbeprovided.Theauthoritiesbelowwerethereforerightinrejectingthe
applicationofthePetitioner.
(iv) That the Judgments on which reliance is placed on behalf of the
Petitionerhavenorelevanceinthecontextoftheinformationsoughtbythe
PetitionerundertheRighttoInformationAct.TheRighttoInformationActisa
selfcontainedcodeandunlesspublicinterestismadeoutorthatthepublic
interestoutweighstherighttoprivacyoftheRespondentNo.3,theinformation
soughtbythePetitionercannotbeprovided.
(v) ThattherelianceplacedbythePetitionerontheprovisotoSection8(1)
(j)ismisplacedasthemattercannotbeapproachedfromtheperspectiveand
hypothesisthattheinformationsoughtcannotbedeniedtotheParliamentor
theStateLegislatureand thereforecannotbedenied to thePetitioner. The
Parliamenthasitsownrulesofbusinessanditcannotbepresumedthatthe
information in respect of Income Tax Returns of a member of the State
Legislaturewouldbesought.RelianceisplacedonthejudgmentofaLearned
SingleJudgeoftheDelhiHighCourtinthematterofVijayPrakashVs.Union
ofIndia10
10 160(2009)DelhiLawTimes631
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(vi) ThattheJudgmentinSurupSinghNaik's case(supra) thoughdealing
withthesaidprovisoisclearlydistinguishableonfactsandthereforethesaid
Judgmenthasnoapplication.
(vii) That the reason given by the Petitioner for seeking the information
cannot standscrutiny inviewof the fact that under the Representationof
PeopleAct,1950,ifincorrectinformationisprovidedbyacandidate,thenthe
candidatecanbeprosecutedunderSection125ofthesaidAct.TheParliament
initswisdomhavingdirectedthecandidatetoprovidetheinformationtothe
extentmentionedinthesaidActatthetimeoffilingofthenomination,itisfor
the Parliament to determine if any further information is required to be
divulged by the candidate for which necessary amendment in the
RepresentationofPeopleActwouldhavetobemade.Itisthereforenotopen
forthePetitionertocontendthatthePetitionerseekstheinformationsoughtas
hewantstocrosschecktheinformationgivenbytheRespondentNo.3atthe
filingofhisnominationformwiththeIncomeTaxReturns.
(viii) ThattheElectionCommissionintheinterestofconductingfreeandfair
elections has the power to issue appropriate directions. However since the
ElectionCommissionhasnotprovidedforfilingofIncomeTax Returnsthe
said information cannot be sought by having recourse to the Right to
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InformationActonthegroundthattheinformationistobecomparedwiththe
informationgivenatthetimeoffilingthenomination.
CONSIDERATION
8 Having heard the Learned Counsel for the parties, I have
consideredtherivalcontentions.Thequestionthatarisesforconsiderationin
theinstantmatteriswhetherthePetitionerisentitledtotheinformationhe
hassoughtforvidehisapplicationfiledunderthesaidActorwhetherthesaid
informationfallswithintheexemptedcategoryunderSection8(1)(j)ofthe
saidAct.Atthisstage,itwouldnecessarytorefertotheprovisionsofthesaid
Actwhichhaveabearingintheinstantmatter.ThesaidprovisionsareSection
Section8(1)(j)andSection11ofthesaidAct,whichforthesakeofready
referencearereproducedhereinunder:
8. Exemption from disclosure of information. (/)Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act,thereshallbenoobligationtogiveanycitizen,
(a) ...........(b) ...........(c) ...........(d) ...........(e) ...........(f) ...........(g) ...........(h) ...........(i) ...........
(j) informationwhich relates to personal informationthedisclosureofwhichhasnorelationshiptoanypublic activity or interest, or which would cause
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unwarranted invasion of the privacy of theindividual unless the Central Public InformationOfficerortheStatePublicInformationOfficerortheappellateauthority,asthecasemaybe,issatisfiedthatthelargerpublicinterestjustifiesthedisclosureofsuchinformation:
Provided that the information which cannot bedeniedtotheParliamentoraStateLegislatureshallnotbedeniedtoanyperson.
(2) Notwithstanding anything in the Official SecretsAct,1923(19of1923)noranyoftheexemptionspermissible in accordance with subsection (/), apublicauthoritymayallowaccesstoinformation,ifpublicinterestindisclosureoutweighstheharmtotheprotectedinterests.
(3) Subjecttotheprovisionsofclauses(a),(c) and(i)ofsubsection(/),anyinformationrelatingtoanyoccurrence,eventormatterwhichhastakenplace,occurredorhappenedtwentyyearsbeforethedateonwhichanyrequestismadeundersection6shallbeprovidedtoanypersonmakingarequestunderthatsection:
Providedthatwhereanyquestionarisesastothedatefromwhichthesaidperiodoftwentyyearshasto be computed, the decision of the CentralGovernment shall be final, subject to the usualappealsprovidedforinthisAct.
11.Thirdpartyinformation.
(1) Where a Central Public Information Officer or aStatePublicInformationOfficer,asthecasemaybe,intends to disclose any information or record, orpart thereof on a request made under this Act,which relates to or has been supplied by a thirdpartyandhasbeentreatedasconfidentialbythatthirdparty,theCentralPublicInformationOfficeror
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StatePublicInformationOfficer,asthecasemaybe,shall, within five days from the receipt of therequest,giveawrittennoticetosuchthirdpartyoftherequestandofthefactthattheCentralPublicInformation Officer or State Public InformationOfficer,asthecasemaybe,intendstodisclosetheinformationorrecord,orpartthereof,andinvitethethird party to make a submission in writing ororally,regardingwhethertheinformationshouldbedisclosed, and such submission of the third partyshallbekeptinviewwhiletakingadecisionaboutdisclosureofinformation:
Provided that except in the case of trade orcommercialsecretsprotectedbylaw,disclosuremaybe allowed if the public interest in disclosureoutweighs in importance any possible harm orinjurytotheinterestsofsuchthirdparty.
(2) Where a notice is served by the Central PublicInformation Officer or State Public InformationOfficer,asthecasemaybe,undersubsection(/)toathirdpartyinrespectofanyinformationorrecordorpartthereof,thethirdpartyshall,withintendaysfromthedateofreceiptofsuchnotice,begiventheopportunity to make representation against theproposeddisclosure.
(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in section 7,the Central Public Information Officer or StatePublicInformationOfficer,asthecasemaybe,shall,withinfortydaysafterreceiptoftherequestundersection b, if the third party has been given anopportunity to make representation under subsection(2),makeadecisionastowhetherornottodisclose the informationor recordor part thereofandgiveinwritingthenoticeofhisdecisiontothethird
(4) Anoticegivenundersubsection(3)shallincludeastatementthatthethirdpartytowhomthenoticeis
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givenisentitledtopreferanappealundersection19againstthedecision.
9 Inso far as Section11 is concerned, if the informationsought
relatestoathirdparty,theCPIOortheStatePublicInformationOfficerasthe
casemaybeiswithin5daysfromthereceiptoftherequestisrequiredtogive
awrittennoticetosuchthirdpartyoftherequestandofthefactthattheCPIO
ortheStatePublicInformationOfficerasthecasemaybeintendstodisclose
theinformationortherecordorpartthereofandinvitedthethirdpartyto
makeasubmissioninwritingororallyregardingwhetherthesaidinformation
shouldbedisclosed.HenceintermsofSection11,thethirdpartyisrequiredto
begivenanoticeandthereplygivenbythethirdpartytotherequestmade
hastobeconsideredbytheInformationOfficerwhilstdecidingtheapplication.
10 InsofarasSection8(1)(j)isconcerned,itrelatestothepersonal
informationofanindividualwhichhasnorelationshiptoanypublicactivityor
interest. The said clause (j) is a part of Section 8 which contains various
categories of informationwhichareexemptedfromdisclosure. Inso far as
clause(j)isconcerned,theCPIOortheStatePublicInformationOfficermay
providethesaidinformationtotheinformationseekerifheissatisfiedthat
largerpublicinterestjustifiesthedisclosureofsuchinformation.Theprovisoto
thesaidclause(j)carvesoutanexemptionthattheinformationwhichcannot
bedeniedtotheParliamentortheStateLegislatureshallnotbedeniedtoany
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person. It is on the touchstone of the aforesaid two provisions that the
application filed by the Petitioner in the instant matter would have to be
considered.ThePetitionerinhisapplicationmadeon21112012hassought
theIncomeTaxReturnsofthepreviousthreefinancialyearsoftheRespondent
No.3.ThereasonforwhichtheinformationsoughthasbeenstatedthusThere
isalargerpublicinterestindisclosingthisinformationtocomparehisaffidavit
giventotheElectionCommissionwithhisIncomeTaxReturns.TheCPIOof
theIncomeTaxDepartmentsentanoticetotheRespondentNo.3whoinhis
replyobjectedtotheinformationbeingsuppliedtothePetitioner.Asindicated
hereinabove,thesaidapplicationofthePetitionercametoberejectedbythe
CPIO.Thereasonmentionedintheorderdated212013wastotheeffectthat
theinformationsoughthasnorelationshiptoanypublicactivityorinterestand
itthereforedoesnotqualifyforbringdisclosedinviewofSection8(1)(j)ofthe
saidAct.
11 ThePetitioneraggrievedbythesaidorderdated212013filedan
AppealbeforetheFirstAppellateAuthorityunderSection19ofthesaidAct.
Afterjustifyingthereasonforseekinginformation,thePetitionerinparagraph
(4)ofthesaidAppealhasstatedtothefollowingeffect:
There is a general belief that politicians andelected representatives are corrupt and masswealthattheexpenseofthepublic.ThereisalsoacommonbeliefthatIncomeTaxauthoritiesdonotcheckthatITreturnsofthosewhoareelected
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withtheirdeclaredaffidavitsfiledatthetimeofstandingforelections.Ifthistrue,citizenswillactasmonitorsandhelpcorrectsuchpractices.Ontheotherhandifcitizensapprehensionsarenottrue,itwouldenhancethetrustandrespectfortheelectedrepresentative,whichisnecessaryfora healthy democracy. Besides it would alsoimprove the Citizens' trust in the Income Taxdepartment.
HencethePetitionerhadsoughttosupplementthereasongivenin
hisoriginalapplicationbeforetheCPIObymakingageneralstatementinhis
Appealtotheeffectmentionedintheexcerptedportionofparagraph(4) as
aboveofhisAppeal.ThesaidAppealasindicatedabovewasdismissedbythe
FirstAppellateAuthoritybyitsorderdated522013andthereasonmentioned
bytheCPIOwasreiteratedbytheFirstAppellateAuthority.TheFirstAppellate
AuthorityhasonlybroadenedthegroundmentionedbytheCPIObystating
thatthedisclosureofthesaidinformationwouldcauseunwarrantedinvasion
oftheprivacyoftheconcernedparty.Thegroundmentionedintheapplication
filedbythePetitionerbeforetheCPIOasalsothegroundmentionedinthe
Appeal filedbythePetitionerbeforetheFirst AppellateAuthorityhasbeen
advertedtosoastoconsiderwhetherthePetitionerhasmadeoutanycasefor
disclosure of the information on the ground of the same being in public
interest.
12 Atthisstage,itwouldbenecessarytorefertotheJudgmentofthe
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ApexCourtinGirishRamchandraDeshpande'scase(supra)andR.K.Jain's
case(Supra)asalsothejudgmentofthe5MemberBenchoftheCommission.
In so far as Girish Ramchandra Deshpande's case (supra) is
concerned, amongst the information sought by the Petitioner was the
informationrelatingtothedetailsoftheinvestmentsofthethirdpartyinthe
saidcase,lendingandborrowingfrombanksandotherfinancialinstitutions,
thedetailsofthegiftssaidtohavebeenacceptedbytheRespondentNo.3were
alsosought.TheApexCourtobservedthattheinformationsoughtmostlyfinds
place in the IncomeTaxReturns of the Respondent No.3. TheApex Court
further observed that the details disclosed by a person in his Income Tax
Returnsispersonalinformationwhichstandsexemptedfromdisclosureunder
clause(j)ofSection8(1)ofthesaidAct,unlessinvolveslargerpublicinterest
andtheCPIOortheStatePublicInformationOfficerortheAppellateAuthority
is satisfied that the larger public interest justifies the disclosure of such
information. Paragraphs 11 to 13 of the judgment in Girish Ramchandra
Deshpande'scase(supra)arematerialandarereproducedhereinunder:
11. The petitioner herein sought for copies of allmemos, show cause notices andcensure/punishment awarded to the thirdrespondentfromhisemployerandalsodetailsviz.movableandimmovablepropertiesandalsothe details of his investments, lending andborrowing from Banks and other financial
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institutions.Further,hehasalsosoughtforthedetails of gifts statedto haveacceptedbythethird respondent, his family members andfriendsandrelativesatthemarriageofhisson.Theinformationmostlysoughtforfindsaplacein the income tax returns of the thirdrespondent.Thequestionthathascomeupforconsideration is whether the abovementionedinformationsoughtforqualifiestobe"personalinformation"asdefinedinclause(j)ofSection8(1)oftheRTIAct.
12. WeareinagreementwiththeCICandthecourtsbelowthatthedetailscalledforbythepetitioneri.e. copies of all memos issued to the thirdrespondent, showcause notices and orders ofcensure/punishment etc. are qualified to bepersonalinformationasdefinedinclause(j)ofSection8(1)oftheRTIAct.Theperformanceofan employee/officer in an organization isprimarily a matter between the employee andthe employer and normally those aspects aregovernedbytheserviceruleswhichfallunderthe expression "personal information", thedisclosureofwhichhasnorelationshiptoanypublic activityorpublic interest. Ontheotherhand, the disclosure of which would causeunwarranted invasion of privacy of thatindividual. Of course, in a given case, if theCentralPublicInformationOfficerortheStatePublic Information Officer of the AppellateAuthority is satisfied that the larger publicinterest justifies the disclosure of suchinformation,appropriateorderscouldbepassedbutthepetitionercannotclaimthosedetailsasamatterofright.
13. Thedetailsdisclosedbyapersoninhisincometax returns are" personal information" whichstandexemptedfromdisclosureunderclause(j)ofSection8(1)oftheRTIAct,unlessinvolvesa
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larger public interest and the Central PublicInformation Officer or the State PublicInformationOfficerortheAppellateAuthorityissatisfiedthatthe largerpublic interest justifiesthedisclosureofsuchinformation.
13 InsofarastheJudgmentinR.K.Jain'scase(supra)isconcerned,
thefactswereidenticalasthefactsinGirishRamchandraDeshpande'scase
inasmuchastheinformationrelatingtotheservicerecordofthethirdparty
wassoughtbythePetitionerwhichwasdeniedonthegroundthatthesameis
personalinformationwhichstandsexemptedunderSection8(1)(j)ofthesaid
Act. The Apex Court referred to the Judgment in Girish Ramchandra
Deshpande'scase (supra)andespecially paragraphs11to13thereofand
thereafter concluded that the said information could not be provided and
accordinglyaffirmedtheJudgmentoftheDivisionBenchoftheHighCourt.
Paragraph21ofthesaidreportismaterialandisreproducedhereinunder:
21. Inviewof thediscussionmadeaboveandthe decision in this Court Girish RamchandraDeshpande,astheappellantsoughtforinspectionof the documents relating to the ACR of theMember, CESTAT, inter alia relating to adverseentriesintheACRandthefollowupactiontakenthereinonthequestionof integritywefindnoreasontointerferewiththeimpugnedjudgmentpassedbytheDivisionBenchwherebytheorderpassed by the learned Single Judge wasaffirmed.
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14 In so far as the Judgment of the 5 Member Bench of the
Commissionisconcerned,the5MemberBenchhaswhilstdecidingtheAppeal
has referred to various Judgments of the Commission and thereafter has
concluded that the Income Tax Returns fall in the category of personal
informationandisthereforeexemptedunderSection8(1)(j)ofthesaidAct.
15 HencewhatflowsfromtheJudgmentsoftheApexCourtisthat
the Income Tax Returns constitute personal information and are exempted
fromdisclosureunderSection8(1)(j)andthatthesaidpersonalinformation
canonlybedivulgediftheCPIOortheStatePublicInformationOfficerreaches
a conclusion that it would be in the larger public interest to reveal such
information.Intheinstantcase,thereasonsetforthinthefirstapplication
filedbythePetitionerbeforethePublicInformationOfficerhardlymakesouta
casefortheinformationtobedisclosedonthegroundofpublicinterest.Inso
far as the ground made out in the Appeal filed before the First Appellate
Authorityisconcerned,thePetitionerhassoughttomakeageneralstatement
whichdoesnotspecificallyrelatetotheRespondentNo.3.ThePetitionerhas
alsosoughttojustifytheinformationsoughtonthegroundthattheIncome
TaxauthoritiesdonotchecktheIncomeTaxReturnsofthosewhoareelected
withtheirdeclaredaffidavitsfiledatthetimeofstandingforelections.The
saidgroundalsodoesnotmakeoutanycaseoftherebeinganypublicinterest
involvedinthedisclosureoftheinformationsoughtbythePetitionerbywayof
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theIncomeTaxReturnsoftheRespondentNo.3fortheprecedingthreeyears.
ThePetitionerisinfactseekingtheinformationbyquestioningthemannerin
whichtheIncomeTaxDepartmentfunctions.SincethePetitionerisseeking
informationrelatingto theRespondentNo.3thePetitionerwasrequiredto
demonstrate as to how the disclosure of the information relating to the
RespondentNo.3wouldservepublicinterest.Asindicatedabove,thePetitioner
hasmadeageneralandsweepingstatementwhichcanhardlybesaidtosatisfy
thetestofdisclosurebeingmadeinpublicinterest.
ThePetitionerhassoughttoassailtherelianceplacedbytheCIC
on the judgment in GirishRamchandraDeshpande's case (supra) on the
groundthatthesamedoesnotlaydownanylawandthatthesamehasbeen
renderedwithoutconsideringthejudgmentoftheApexCourtinPUCL'scase
and R.Rajgopal's case (supra). In the context of the challenge to the
applicability of the judgment in Girish Ramchandra Deshpande's case is
concerned,itwouldbenecessarytorevisitthefactsinvolvedinthesaidcase.
Inthesaidcase,asindicatedabovetheinformationsoughtwasrelatingtothe
service record of the Respondent No.3 in the said Petition as also the
informationrelatingtotheinvestments,loansandborrowingfrombanksand
otherfinancialinstitutions.Insofarastheinformationrelatingtotheservice
recordoftheRespondentNo.3isconcerned,theApexCourtobservedthatthe
samewouldbegovernedbyservicerulesandisamatterbetweentheemployer
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andtheemployeeandthattheinformationfallswithintheexpressionpersonal
information, disclosure of which according to the Apex Court had no
relationshiptoanypublicactivityorpublic interestandontheotherhand
wouldcauseunwarrantedinvasionoftheprivacyofthatindividual.Insofaras
the information sought by the Petitioner / Applicant relating to the
investments,loansandborrowingfrombanks,theApexCourtheldthatthe
samebeingpart of the IncomeTaxReturns, is personal informationwhich
standsexemptedfromthedisclosureunderSubSection(j)ofSection8(1)of
thesaidAct.TheApexCourtasindicatedaboveafterhavingrecordedthesaid
findingfurtherobservedthatinagivencaseiftheCPIOortheStatePublic
InformationOfficerortheAppellateAuthorityissatisfiedthatthelargerpublic
interestjustifiesthedisclosureofsuchinformationappropriateorderscouldbe
passed,butthePetitionercannotclaimthesaiddetailsasamatterofright.
HencetheApexCourtinGirishRamchandraDeshpande's case(Supra)was
directlyconcernedwithSection8(1)(j)ofthesaidActandexemptionfrom
disclosurecoveredbythesaidprovision,itisinthesaidcontextthattheApex
CourtmadeobservationsandrecordedafindingthatthedetailsintheIncome
TaxReturnsispersonalinformationandcanbedisclosedonlyifpublicinterest
so warrants. The Apex Court thereby laid down a proposition that the
informationcoveredbyclause8(1)(j)isanexemptedinformationandcanbe
disclosedonlyiftheCPIOortheAppellateAuthorityissatisfiedthatitwould
beinthepublicinteresttodoso.HencethecontentionurgedbytheLearned
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Counsel for the Petitioner that the judgment in Girish Ramchandra
Deshpande'scase(supra)laydownanylawhastoberejected.Inmyviewthe
relianceplacedbythePetitioneronthejudgmentsoftheApexCourtreported
in1979(3)SupremeCourtCase745,1992(1)SupremeCourtCases489and
(2002) 8 Supreme Court Cases 361 to contend that Girish Ramchandra
Deshapande's case (supra) does not lay down any law, is thoroughly
misplaced,asthesaidjudgmentshavebeenrenderedinthefactualcontext
prevailinginthesaidcases.HenceinsofaraswhethertheIncomeTaxReturns
fallintheexemptedcategorytheissuehasbeenconcludedbytheApexCourt
in Girish Ramchandra Deshpande's case, which has been fetched in
R.K.Jain'scase(supra).
16 SincethePetitionerseemstobebasinghiscaseonthepurityof
electionsandprobityinpubliclife,beforeadvertingtothetwojudgmentsof
theApexCourtinthetwoPUCLcases,itwouldbenecessarytorefertothe
relevant provisions of the Representation of the People Act, 1950. By the
amendment carriedout in theyear 2002, Section33Aand33Bhavebeen
introducedintheRepresentationofthePeopleAct.IntermsofSection33A,a
candidateshallapartfromanyinformationwhichheisrequiredtofurnishin
hisnominationhasalsotofurnishinformationastowhetherheisaccusedof
anyoffencepunishablewithimprisonmentfortwoyearsormoreinapending
caseinwhichachargehasbeenframed,whetherhehasbeenconvictedofan
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offence, the candidate has to submit an affidavit in the prescribed from
verifying the information specified in subsection(1). Thereturningofficer
aftertheinformationis furnishedtohimundersubsection(1)displaysthe
saidinformationbydisplayingacopyofthesaidaffidavitataconspicuous
placeinhisoffice.Section33Bprovidesthatnocandidateisliabletodisclose
orfurnishanysuchinformationinrespectofhiselectionwhichisnotrequired
tobedisclosedorfurnishedundertheActortherulesmadethereunder.
Section125Awhichhasalsobeenintroducedbytheamendment
oftheyear2002providesforprosecutionifthecandidatefailstofurnishthe
information specified in Section 33A or gives false information which he
knowsorhasreasontobelievetobefalse.Henceareadingoftheaforesaid
provisionsdisclosethattohavefreeandfairelectionsandtobringpurityinthe
electoralprocessinthecountryandtobringprobityinpubliclifethatcertain
electoralreformswereintroducedwhicharenowreflectedintheframingof
Section33AandSection125AoftheRepresentationofthePeopleAct.Hence
the Parliament has provided for disclosure of information relating to the
candidatetotheextentmentionedinSection33A.Theplenarypowerofthe
ElectionCommissionofIndiatoissuedirectionsforafreeandfairconductof
theelectionscannotbedoubted,iftheElectionCommissionisoftheopinion
thatsomefurtherdirectionsarerequiredtobe issuedtosee to it that the
electionsarefreeandfairundoubtedlyhasthepowerstoissuethedirections.
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However since the Parliament has deemed it appropriate to limit the
informationinrespectofthecandidatetotheextentmentionedinSection33A,
itisnotopenforacitizentocontendthatheseekscertaininformationtocross
checktheinformationwhichhasbeenrevealedbythecandidateatthetimeof
filingofhisnomination.Iftheinformationfurnishedbyacandidateisfalse,he
canbeprosecutedunderSection125AofthesaidAct.Intheinstantcase,as
indicated above, the Petitioner has sought information to cross check the
information furnished by the Respondent No.3 at the time of filing of his
nominationwithhisIncomeTaxReturnsthesaidreasoncanthereforehardly
saidtosatisfythetestofthesamebeinginpublicinterest.Theinformation
soughtalsohasnoconnectionwithanypublicactivityoftheRespondentNo.3.
ThePetitionerpossiblybeingawareofthesaidpositionhasthereforesoughtto
contendthatfilingoftheIncomeTaxReturnsisapublicactivity. Iamafraid
thesaidcontentionisthoroughlymisconceivedasfilingofIncomeTaxReturns
canbe nostretchof imaginationbe said to be a public activity, but is an
obligationwhichacitizenowestotheStateviz.topayhistaxesandsincethe
saidinformationisheldbytheIncomeTaxDepartmentinafiduciarycapacity,
thesamecannotbedirectedtoberevealedunlesstheprerequisitesforthe
samearesatisfied.
17 Now coming to the judgment in P.U.C.L. and another's case
(supra). The said judgment concerns the directions issued by the Election
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CommissionofIndiaunderArticle324oftheConstitutionofIndia.TheApex
Court has summedup the legal andconstitutional position which emerges
fromthedirectionsissuedbytheElectionCommissionofIndiainParagraph46
ofthesaidjudgment.Paragraph46ofthesaidjudgment,isforthesakeof
readyreferencereproducedhereinunder:
46 To sum up the legal and constitutional positionwhichemerges fromtheaforesaiddiscussion, it canbestatedthat:
1. ThejurisdictionoftheElectionCommissioniswideenoughto includeall powersnecessaryforsmoothconductofelectionsandtheword`electionsisusedin a wide sense to include the entire process ofelection which consists of several stages andembracesmanysteps.
2. ThelimitationonplenarycharacterofpoweriswhentheParliamentorStateLegislaturehasmadeavalidlawrelatingtoorinconnectionwithelections,theCommissionisrequiredtoactinconformitywiththesaidprovisions.Incasewherelawissilent,Articleisareservoirofpowertoactfortheavowedpurposeofhavingfreeandfairelection.ConstitutionhastakencareofleavingscopeforexerciseofresiduarypowerbytheCommissioninitsownrightasacreatureoftheConstitutioninthe infinitevarietyofsituationsthat may emerge from time to time in a largedemocracy, as every contingency could not beforeseenoranticipatedby theenacted lawsor therules. By issuing necessary directions, Commissioncan fill the vacuum till there is legislation on thesubject. In Kanhiya Lal Omar's case, the Courtconstrued the expressions superintendence,directionandcontrol in Article 324 (1) andheldthat a direction may mean an order issued to aparticularindividualorapreceptwhichmayhavetofollowanditmaybespecificorageneralorderand
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such phrase should be construed liberallyempowering the election commission to issue suchorders.
3. Thewordelections includestheentireprocessofelection which consists of several stages and itembracesmanysteps,someofwhichmayhaveanimportant bearing on the process of choosing acandidate. Fair election contemplates disclosure bythecandidateofhispastincludingtheassetsheldbyhimsoastogiveaproperchoicetothecandidateaccording to his thinking and opinion. As statedearlier, in Common Cause case (supra) the Courtdealtwithacontentionthatelectionsinthecountryarefoughtwiththehelpofmoneypowerwhichisgathered from black sources and once elected topower,itbecomeseasytocollecttonsofblackmoney,whichisusedforretainingpowerandforreelection.Ifonaffidavitacandidateisrequiredtodisclosetheassetsheldbyhimatthetimeofelection,votercandecidewhetherhecouldbereelectedevenincasewherehehascollectedtonsofmoney.Presuming,ascontendedbythelearnedseniorcounselMr.AshwiniKumar,thatthisconditionmaynotbemucheffectiveforbreakingaviciouscirclewhichhaspollutedthebasicdemocracyinthecountyastheamountwouldbeunaccounted.Maybetrue,stillthiswouldhaveitsowneffectasastepinaidandvotersmaynotelectlawbreakers as lawmakers and some flowers ofdemocracymayblossom.
4. Tomaintainthepurityofelectionsandinparticulartobringtransparencyintheprocessofelection,theCommission can ask the candidates about theexpenditureincurredbythepoliticalpartiesandthistransparency in process of election would includetransparencyofacandidatewhoseekselectionorreelection.Inademocracy,theelectoralprocesshasastrategicrole.ThelittlemanofthiscountrywouldhavebasicelementaryrighttoknowfullparticularsofacandidatewhoistorepresenthiminParliament
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wherelawstobindhislibertyandpropertymaybeenacted.
5. The right to get information in democracy isrecognized all throughout and it is natural rightflowingfromtheconceptofdemocracy.Atthisstage,we would refer to Article 19[1] ad [2] of theInternational Covenant of Civil andPolitical Rightswhichisasunder:
1. Everyoneshallhavetherighttoholdopinionswithoutinterference.
2. Everyone shall have the right to freedomofexpression;thisrightshallincludefreedomtoseek,receiveandimpartinformationandideasof all kinds, regardless of frontiers, eitherorally,inwritingorinprint,intheformofart,orthroughanyothermediaofhischoice.
6. Cumulativereadingofplethoraof decisionsof thisCourtasreferredto,itisclearthatifthefieldmeantfor legislature and executive is left unoccupieddetrimentaltothepublicinterest,thisCourtwouldhaveample jurisdictionunderArticle 32readwithArticles 141 and 142 of the Constitution to issuenecessary directions to the Executive to subservepublicinterest.
7. UnderourConstitution,Article19(1)(a)providesforfreedomofspeechandexpression.Votersspeechorexpressionincaseofelectionwouldincludecastingofvotes,thatistosay,voterspeaksoutorexpressesbycastingvote.Forthispurpose,informationaboutthe candidate to be selected is must. Voter's (littlemancitizen's) right to knowantecedents includingcriminalpastofhiscandidatecontestingelectionforMPorMLAismuchmorefundamentalandbasicforsurvivalofdemocracy.Thelittlemanmaythinkoverbeforemakinghischoiceofelectinglawbreakersaslawmakers.
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18 InsofarasthenextjudgmentoftheApexCourtin P.U.C.L.and
another's case (supra) is concerned, the Apex Court was considering the
challengeraisedtoSection33BoftheRepresentationofthePeopleAct.The
ApexCourtwasconsideringthedisclosureofinformationbyacandidateunder
Section33AofthesaidActinthecontextoftherighttoprivacywhichis
protectedunderArticle21oftheConstitutionofIndia.Theobservationsofthe
ApexCourtinparagraph49ofthesaidjudgmentarematerialandareforthe
sakeofreadyreferencereproducedhereinunder:
49 It istobestatedthattheElectionCommissionhasfromtimetotimeissuedinstructions/orderstomeetwiththesituationwherethefieldisunoccupiedbythelegislation.Hence,thenormsandmodalitiestocarryoutandgiveeffecttotheaforesaiddirectionsshould be drawn up properly by the ElectionCommission as early as possible and in any casewithintwomonths.
19 Inmyview,theaforesaidjudgmentscanhardlyfurtherthecaseof
the Petitioner to contend that since the Respondent No.3 being a people's
representative,hisrighttoprivacywouldnotbeaffectedif theinformation
sought by the Petitioner is disclosed. The Apex Court has made the
observationsthatithasmadehavingregardtotheamendedprovisionsofthe
Representation of People Act, and the said observations cannot be applied
whilst consideringthe provisionsof thesaidAct, which is a self contained
code.
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20 ThePetitionerhasalsosoughttoplacerelianceonthejudgmentof
the Apex Court in R Rajagopal's case (supra). The said judgment also
concernstherighttoprivacyunderArticle21oftheConstitutionofIndiaand
thecaseconcernsthepublicationoftheautobiographyofone AutoShankar
whowasconvictedfor6murdersandwassentencedtodeathandwhohad
writtenhisautobiographyinjailandhashandedoverthesametohiswifewith
theknowledgeandapprovalofthejailauthoritiesforbeingdeliveredtohis
advocatewitharequesttopublishthesameinthePetitioner'smagazine.It
seems the autobiographydepicteda close nexus between the prisoner and
severalIASandIPSandotherofficerssomeofwhomwereallegedtobehis
partners inseveral crimes. ThePetitionerhaddecidedtocommenceserial
publicationoftheautobiographyandannouncedthesameintheirmagazine.
TheInspectorGeneralofPrisonswrotealettertothePetitionersallegingthat
the serial in question was not written by Auto Shankar and asking the
Petitionerstostoppublishingthesameforthwith.ThequestionthattheApex
Courtframedwas,doessuchanauthorisedwritinginfringesthecitizen'sright
toprivacy.TheApexCourtinParagraph26laiddownthebroadprinciplesin
sofarastherighttoprivacyisconcernedquatherighttopublish.TheApex
Courtinclause(2)ofParagraph26hasobservedthatexceptiontotherightof
privacyisthatthepublicationbecomesunobjectionableifsuchpublicationis
based upon the public records including Court records. The Apex Court
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justifiedtheobservationbystatingthatonceamatterbecomesamatterof
public record, the right to privacy no longer subsists and it becomes a
legitimatesubjectforcommentbypressandmediaamongothers.Inmyview,
thesaidjudgmentdoesnotfurtherthecaseofthePetitionerinseekingthe
informationsoughtonthegroundthatnorightofprivacyoftheRespondent
No.3isaffected,infactthesaidjudgmentsupportsthecaseoftheRespondent
No.3astheApexCourthasobservedthattherighttoprivacywouldhaveto
givewayifwhatispublishedisfrompublicrecords.Intheinstantcase,the
recordsmaintainedbytheIncomeTaxDepartmentinrespectofanindividual
whoisanassesseebeforeitcannotbesaidtobeapublicrecordasitiswell
settledthattheIncomeTaxDepartmentholdsthesaidrecordsinafiduciary
capacity.
21 ThelearnedcounselforthePetitionerhassoughttoplacereliance
onthejudgmentofalearnedSingleJudgeofthisCourtreportedinthematter
ofKashinathJ.Shetyevs.DinshVaghela 11 .Inthelightofthejudgmentsof
theApexCourtinGirishRamchandraDeshpande'scasealsoR.K.Jain'scase
which judgments of the Apex Court are latter in point of time. The said
judgmentofalearnedSingleJudgeofthisCourtstandsimpliedlyoverruled.
22 TheexemptionunderSection8(1)(j)ofthesaidActhadcomeup
for consideration before the Apex Court recently in Bihar Public Service
11 2009(0)AIJMH146009
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Commission'sCase(supra).TheApexCourtafterobservingthatinformation
whichrelatestopersonalinformationrecordedbySection8(1)(j)ofthesaid
Act stands exempted and can be disclosed only if the public interest so
warrants,hasthereafterheldthatthesaidexemptionisastatutoryexemption
whichmustoperateasaruleandonlyinexceptionalcases,woulddisclosure
bepermittedthattooforreasonstoberecordeddemonstratingsatisfactionto
thetestoflargerpublicinterest.Insofarasthecompetingclaimsbetween
largerpublicinterestandtheinvasionofprivacy,theobservationsoftheApex
Courtinparagraph23ofthesaidjudgmentarematerialandarereproduced
hereinunder:
23 Thesatisfactionhastobearrivedatbytheauthorities objectively and the consequences ofsuchdisclosurehavetobeweighedwithregardtothecircumstancesof a givencase. Thedecisionhastobebasedonobjectivesatisfactionrecordedforensuringthatlargerpublicinterestoutweighsunwarrantedinvasionofprivacyorotherfactorsstated in the provision. Certain matters,particularly, in relation to appointment, arerequired to be dealt with great confidentiality.Theinformationmaycometoknowledgeoftheauthorityasaresultofdisclosurebyotherswhogive that information in confidence and withcompletefaith,integrityandfidelity. Secrecyofsuch information shall be maintained, thus,briningitwithintheambitoffiduciarycapacity.Similarly,theremaybecaseswherethedisclosurehas no relationship to any public activity orinterest or it may even cause unwarrantedinvasionof privacyof the individual. Ontheseprotections have to be given their dueimplementation as they spring from statutoryexemptions. It is not a decision simpliciterbetweenprivateinterestandpublicinterest.Itis
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a matter where a constitutional protection isavailabletoapersonwithregardtotherighttoprivacy. Thus, the public interest has to beconstrued while keeping in mind the balancefactor between right to privacy and right toinformation with the purpose sought to beachievedandthepurposethatwouldbeservedinthelargerpublicinterest,particularlywhenboththese rights emerged from the constitutionalvaluesundertheConstitutionofIndia.
Sincetherighttoprivacyhasbeenrecognizedasafundamental
righttowhichacitizenisentitledto,therefore,unlesstheconditionmentioned
inSection8(1)(j)issatisfied,theinformationcannotbeprovided.Hencethe
burdenontheApplicantismuchmoreonerousthanmaybearoutinecase.As
indicated in the earlier part of this judgment the reasonmentioned in the
originalapplicationassupplementedbythegroundsintheFirstAppealhardly
makeoutacaseofpublicinterest.Henceintheinstantcase,thesaidburden
cannotsaidtohavebeendischargedbythePetitioner.Hencethefindingofthe
FirstAppellateAuthorityaswellastheCICthatthePetitionerhasnotmade
outanycasefordisclosureoftheinformationonthegroundofpublicinterest
cannotbefaultedwith.
23 The Petitioner has sought to place reliance on the proviso to
Section8(1)(j)ofthesaidActandhassoughttocontendthattheauthorities
belowhavenotconsideredtheapplicationofthePetitioneronthetouchstone
of the said Proviso. It was the submission of the learnedcounsel for the
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PetitionerbasedonthesaidprovisothatthePetitionerwouldhavetofurnish
thesaidinformationhavingregardtotheprovisoastheinformationsoughtby
thePetitionercannotbedeniedtotheParliamentortheStateLegislature.In
supportofthesaidcontentionthePetitionerhassoughttoplacerelianceonthe
judgmentofaDivisionBenchofthisCourtinSurupSinghNaik'scase(supra).
InsofarasthesaidjudgmentoftheDivisionBenchisconcerned,towhichthis
Courtwasaparty,nodoubtinthesaidjudgmentprovisotoSection8(1)(j)
was in contention and the Division Bench of this Court had allowed the
application filed by the Petitioner seeking information relating to the
hospitalizationofthePetitionerSurupSinghNaikwhichwasdeniedbythe
authorities below. However, the proviso was applied in the facts that were
prevailinginthesaidcase.ThefactsinthesaidcasewasthatthePetitioner
SurupSinghNaikwasaMinisterintheStateGovernmentattherelevanttime
whowaspunishedforcontemptofcourtbytheApexCourtbyjudgmentdated
10052006andwastoundergoimprisonmentforonemonth. Itseemsthat
thePetitionersurrenderedtothepoliceinMumbaion12052006.On1405
2006thePetitionerwasshiftedtooneoftheGovernmentHospitalsi.e.theSir
JJHospitalonaccountofsuspectedheartproblemaswellaslowsugarand
bloodpressure.TheRespondentNo.5inthesaidPetitionwhowasaprivate
citizenhadbyhisapplicationdated27052006soughtinformationfromthe
CPIOofthesaidSirJJHospitalofthemedicalreportsofthePetitioner.Inhis
applicationitwassetoutthatitwasinpublicinterest toknowaboutwhya
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convictisallowedtostayintheairconditionedcomfortofthehospitaland
therehadbeenintensivequestioningaboutthisaspectinthemediaandthe
peoplesmind,andthatthereis, therefore,alegitimatedoubtaboutthetrue
reasonsfortheconvictbeingaccommodatedinairconditionedcomfortofthe
hospital.TheCPIOdidnotfurnishthenecessaryinformation.TheRespondent
No.5thereafterfiledanAppealbeforetheRespondentNo.3whichalsodidnot
meetwithanysuccess. TheRespondentNo.5thereforepreferredaSecond
Appeal before the Respondent No.2. The Respondent No.2 i.e. Second
Appellate Authorityallowed theAppeal anddirected the information tobe
provided to the Respondent No.5 which order was challenged before the
DivisionBenchofthisCourtbywayofthesaidWritPetition.TheDivision
Benchcrystallizedthequestionthatitwasrequiredtoanswernamelytheright
ofanindividualtokeepcertainmattersconfidentialontheonehandandright
ofthepublictobeinformedontheotherconsideringtheprovisionsofthesaid
Act. TheDivisionBenchobservedthatitwasconcernedwithacasewherea
personconvictedforcontemptofcourt,doessuchapersonduringtheperiod
of incarceration, claimprivilege or confidentially in respect of the medical
recordsmaintainedbyapublicauthority. TheDivisionBenchconsideredthe
issue on the touchstone of the proviso and recorded a finding that such
informationnormallycannotbedeniedtoParliamentortheStateLegislature
unlessthepersonwhoopposesthereleaseoftheinformationmakesoutacase
thatsuchinformationisnotavailabletoParliamentortheStateLegislation
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undertheAct. TheDivisionBenchwentontoobservethathavingregardto
theplenarypowerswhichthelegislatureenjoys,suchinformationcannotbe
deniedtoParliamentorStatelegislaturebyanypublicauthority.TheDivision
Bench concluded that the records of the institution i.e. Sir J J Group of
Hospitals,therefore,,oughttobemadeavailabletoParliamentortheState
Legislature.TheParliament/Legislatureand/oritsCommitteesareentitledto
therecordseveniftheybeconfidentialorpersonalrecordsofapatient.Hence
thejudgmentoftheDivisionBenchofthisCourtwasrevolvingaroundthe
factsinthesaidcase,whereaMinisterinOfficewaspunishedforContemptof
Court andwas admitted to a Government Hospital andwas being treated
therein and the suspicion was that he had got himself admitted to avoid
incarceration. Thesaidjudgment,inmyview,cannotbeextendedtomean
thatanyandeveryinformationistobeprovidedtotheParliamentortheState
Legislature.ThishastobeviewedinthecontextofthefactsofSurupSingh
Naik'scase(supra)whereintheDivisionBenchofthisCourtwasoftheview
thattheinformationrelatingtothepatientSurupSinghNaikcouldnothave
beendeniedtotheParliamentorStateLegislature.Inmyview,therefore,the
judgmentoftheDivisionBenchofthisCourtdoesnotinanymannerfurther
thecaseofthePetitionerbasedontheprovisotoSection8(1)(j)ofthesaid
Act.
24 TheprovisotoSection8(1)(j)hadalsocomeupforconsideration
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beforeaLearnedSingleJudgeoftheDelhiHighCourtinVijayPrakash'scase
(supra). Before The Learned Single Judge of the Delhi High Court the
JudgmentoftheDivisionBenchofthisCourtwascited.TheLearnedSingle
JudgeobservedthatheisunpersuadedbythereasoningofthisCourtwhich
appearstohavegivenundue,evenoverwhelmingdeferencetoParliamentary
privilege.TheLearnedSingleJudgeobservedthatwerethatthetrueposition,
theenactmentofSection8(1)(j)woulditselfberenderedmeaninglessandthe
basic safeguardbereft of content. TheLearnedJudgeconcludedthat if the
provisoistobeinterpretedinamannerthattheParliamenthastherightto
demandany information then there would be nothing left to the right to
privacywhichhasbeenelevatedtothestatusofafundamentalrightbyseveral
judgmentsoftheSupremeCourt.
25 In my view therefore, the proviso cannot be sought to be
interpretedinthemannerwhichtheLearnedCounselforthePetitionerseeks
todo. Thereisalsoabasicfallacyinthecontentionraisedonbehalfofthe
Petitioner. The Petitioner wants to proceed on the hypothesis that the
informationsoughtbyhimcannotbedeniedtotheParliament.Insofarasthe
Parliamentisconcerned,theParliamenthasitsownrulesofbusinessandit
thereforecannotbepresumedthattheinformationinrespectoftheIncome
TaxReturnsofaMemberofLegislaturewouldbesought. Thesamewould
undoubtedly be in the discretion of the Honourable Speaker. In the said
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context,itisalsorelevanttorefertoSection75AoftheRepresentationofthe
PeopleActunderwhicheveryelectedcandidateforaHouseofParliamenthas
tofurnishinformationrelatingtothemovableandimmovableproperty, his
liabilities to any public financial institution, his liabilities to the Central
GovernmentortheStateGovernmenttotheChairmanoftheCouncilofStates
ortheSpeakeroftheHouseofthePeoplei.e.LoksabhaortheChairmanofthe
CounciloftheStatei.e.Rajyasabha.Hencethereareadequateprovisionsinthe
RepresentationofthePeopleActunderwhichtheinformationsoughtistobe
providedtotheParliamenttotheextentmentionedinthesaidprovisionsand
therefore reliance cannot be placed on the proviso to Section 8(1)(j) to
contendthattheexemptionprovidedinthesaidSectionwouldnotoperate.
26 Forthereasonsaforestatedtheimpugnedorderdated1552013
passedbytheCentralInformationCommissioner,confirmingtheorderspassed
by the First Appellate Authority and the CPIO does not suffer from any
illegalityorinfirmityforthiscourttointerfereinitsWritJurisdiction.TheWrit
Petitionis accordinglydismissed.Ruledischargedwithpartiestobeartheir
respectivecosts.
[R.M.SAVANT,J]
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