Information related to logbook and visitors register of CBI office under RTI

Background

The appellant sought a photocopy of the visitors register showing the entry and exit of all the persons inside the office premises and the motor vehicle logbook showing entries of the vehicle used by the authorities of the office of the Central Bureau of Investigation, Anti-Corruption Branch. The Public Information Officer (PIO) refused to provide the information under section 8(1)(g) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, there shall be no obligation to give any citizen, information, the disclosure of which would endanger the life or physical safety of any person or identify the source of information or assistance given in confidence for law enforcement or security purposes; and 8(1)(j) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, there shall be no obligation to give any citizen, information which relates to personal information the disclosure of which has no relationship to any public activity or interest, or which would cause unwarranted invasion of the privacy of the individual unless the Central Public Information Officer or the State Public Information Officer or the appellate authority, as the case may be, is satisfied that the larger public interest justifies the disclosure of such information: Provided that the information which cannot be denied to the Parliament or a State Legislature shall not be denied to any person. of the RTI Act claiming that the disclosure of the information would endanger the physical safety of some individuals or identify the source of information or assistance given in confidence for law enforcement. The appellant had also sought information about the details of the dispatch and receipt of fax messages related to a particular case. In this regard, the PIO advised the appellant to specify the exact matter in respect of which the information was being sought.

View of CIC

The Central Information Commission (CIC) rejected the appeal stating that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is an investigation organization. Many people including witnesses and informers in connection with investigation cases may be visiting the CBI office. The visitors register and the vehicle logbook maintained in the office of the Anticorruption Branch (ACB) would reflect both the names of all such individuals and the places and persons whom the CBI officials visit. The disclosure of this would compromise the confidentiality of individuals and can have adverse effect on the capacity of the CBI to conduct effective investigation. However with regard to the fax messages, the Commission directed the PIO to provide the copies to the appellant.

Citation: Mr. Sanjib Roy Choudhary v. Central Bureau of Investigation, Anticorruption Branch, in File No. CIC/SM/A/2011/001348