Copy of the service book and other records of a deceased employee sought under RTI

Background

Shri R. D. Singh was a Security Guard in BSNL who had expired. An application was filed under RTI Act seeking copy of the service book and other records relating to his GPF and pension claim. The appellant, who claimed to be the son of late R. D. Singh, also sought information about the nominees nominated by his father in the records. The requested information was denied to the appellant by Public Information Officer (PIO) under section 8 (1) (j) of the RTI Act.

View of the CIC

The Central Information Commission held that a son cannot be treated as third party when he seeks information about the pensionary benefits of his deceased father. If the successor is treated as third party, he would be deprived of financial benefits due to him. In this view of the matter, the commission is of the opinion that there is no harm in providing requisite information to the appellant. With a view to enable the appellant to ensure that the pensionary and other benefits resulting from the death of his father accrue to the family, the Commission directed to provide the requisite information to the appellant if he is able to prove that he is the son of deceased Shri R.D. Singh.

Citation: Sanjay Singh v. BSNL in file no. CIC/LS/A/2011/002819