PIO: Even though the appellant had filed more than 30 RTI applications seeking similar information, all the applications were duly answered - CIC: The information which could be supplied has been already provided and no further relief can be given

Information Sought:

The Appellant has sought the following information with regard to the death case of Late Sowar Jitender Kumar Soni: -

Provide copies of letters under which family pension claim in respect of Shankar Kannojia was submitted by AC Records to CDA (P) Allahabad and in turn which was admitted by them.

Grounds for Second Appeal

The CPIO has failed to provide the desired information.

Submissions made by Appellant and Respondent during Hearing:

The appellant’s representative submitted that till date the desired information has not been provided to the appellant. He further submitted that the CPIO is trying to hide the information to conceal the irregularities in the Army. He also submitted that the information which cannot be denied to the Parliament cannot be denied to citizens also. The CPIO reiterated the contents of his written submissions dated 19.03.2021 and on a query he submitted that the copy shall be given to the appellant.

Observations:

From a perusal of the relevant case records and the detailed submissions of the CPIO dated 19.03.2021, it is noted that whatever information was available with the CPIO the same was provided to the appellant on 31.12.2018. The CPIO had also stated that even though the appellant had filed more than 30 RTI applications seeking similar information, however, all the applications were duly answered and whatever information was available with them, the same was shared with the appellant from time to time. He has also informed that the appellant has also filed a court case in the Hon'ble Armed Forces Tribunal, Mumbai bench for non grant of Special Family Pension vide OA No 76 of 2019 and the case is still sub-judice. The Commission finds that the information which could be supplied to the appellant has been already provided and therefore no further relief can be given to her.

Decision:

In view of the above, the Commission upholds the submissions of the CPIO and does not find any scope for further intervention in the matter. However, the CPIO is directed to send a copy of the written submissions dated 19.03.2021 to the appellant within 2 days from the date of receipt of the order.

The appeal is disposed of accordingly.

Vanaja N. Sarna

Information Commissioner

Citation: Smt. Krishna Soni v. Armoured Corps Records in File No.: - CIC/IARMY/A/2019/113593, Date of Decision: 01/04/2021