Using RTI for seeking information regarding Court Martial of a person

Background

The appellant referred to a particular person and stated that he was on study leave during the period 2004 to 2006. The appellant claimed that during this period the said person was found to be working in a private establishment for a consideration against the rules. A Court Martial was conducted against him and he was punished. In this regard, the appellant filed an application under Right to Information (RTI) Act seeking the verdict of the Court, the number of the years the said officer worked in the Army and the duration of the study leave availed by him etc.

Proceedings

During the hearing before the Central Information Commission (CIC), the Public Information Officer (PIO) stated that the details of service record and the period of study leave of that person have been provided to the appellant. He further stated that a clear picture has not emerged whether Court Marshall was conducted against the said officer or it was only a court of enquiry. If case any punishment was inflicted on the officer, whether the same was reflected in his service record or not.

View of CIC

The Central Information Commission (CIC) directed the PIO to revisit the matter, ascertain the correct position and communicate it to the appellant.

Citation: Mr. J. Sankar v. Indian Army in File No. CIC/LS/A/2011/003916