Information regarding Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act 2000

Background

The appellant sought information regarding the constitution of Juvenile Justice Committees under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act 2000 and the follow up action taken by the High Court of Bombay. The Public Information Officer (PIO) denied the information observing that none of the queries were applicable to the High Court.

View of CIC

The Central Information Commission (CIC) observed that the PIO should have explained as to why the queries were not applicable. If the public authority does not have any material on record relating to the information sought the PIO should clearly state so. The PIO cannot avoid or dismiss an RTI request by merely stating that it is not applicable. The Commission directed the PIO to provide to the appellant the constitution of the Juvenile Justice Board/Committee, nomination of Judges for overseeing the constitution and functioning of such Board/Committee, details of the members of such Committee in case it exists and the minutes of the meetings of such Committee if such meetings have been held. If no records exist on any of these items of queries the same should be clearly communicated to the appellant.

Citation: Ms. Anisha Ghosh v. High Court of Bombay in File No. CIC/SG/A/2012/000471

File No.CIC/SM/A/2011/000984