Appellant wanted to track the movement of OMC Officers by having the details of the telephone tower through which their Mobile Phones have been operated to establish their absence in the office area during the office hours - CIC: denial upheld
18 Mar, 2015Information sought:-
The appellant wants to track the movement of OMC Officers under Barbil Regional Office by having the details of the telephone tower through which their Mobile Phones have been operated from time to time, with in a sample period from 1st March 2013 to 30th May 2013 for three months, there by establishing their absence in the office area during the scheduled office hours.
Grounds for the Second Appeal: The CPIO has not provided the desired information.
Relevant Facts emerging during Hearing: The following were present
Appellant: Absent.
Respondent: Mr. I G Soren CPIO through VC M: 09437070606
The appellant was given an opportunity to participate in the hearing but he is absent. The CPIO stated that the appellant in his RTI application dated 08/07/2013 has sought tower locations of 7 mobile numbers for the period 01/03/2013 to 30/05/2013 but the details cannot be provided as the information relates to third parties, is personal in nature and no public purpose is involved. He further stated that the information related to tower location has security implication and can be disclosed only to authorised security agencies.
Decision notice:
The CPIO has submitted that disclosure of information related to BTS towers has security implications. Besides, the information is personal in nature and relates to third parties. The appellant has not availed the opportunity to appear before the Commission and demonstrate that the information asked for by him is in larger public interest. It being so, there is no need to interfere with the respondent’s decision. The matter is closed.
BASANT SETH
Information Commissioner
Citation: Mr. Braja Mohan Mohanty v. BSNL in File No. CIC/BS/A/2014/000133/6594