Disclosure of insurance policies of an absconder under RTI

Background

The appellant filed an application under the Right to Information (RTI) Act seeking information pertaining to two insurance policies of a person who was absconding since 6 October 2008. He wanted to know whether the policies were still in force, name of the person who is paying the premiums and the rule under which the premium amount is received by Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) of India. The Public Information Officer (PIO) denied the information under section 8(1)(e) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, there shall be no obligation to give any citizen, information available to a person in his fiduciary relationship, unless the competent authority is satisfied that the larger public interest warrants the disclosure of such information; of the RTI Act.

Proceeding

During the hearing before the Central Information Commission (CIC), the appellant submitted that he stood surety for the third party against loan taken by him for construction of house and that a monthly deduction is made from his salary as the third party had not met his obligations in respect of repayment of the said loan. Therefore, he should be provided the requested information. PIO submitted that the housing loan was not taken against the policies in respect of which information was sought and the policies were absolutely assigned to L&HP (Legal and Housing Property Finance Department) and also all rights were with LIC.

View of CIC

The Central Information Commission (CIC) agreed with the decision of PIO and dismissed the appeal.

Citation: Mr. H.N. Manjappa v. LIC of India in Appeal: No. CIC/DS/A/2011/004290