Disclosure of personal information by IIM, Ahmedabad

The appellant requested for information regarding Prof. Dheeraj Sharma’s recruitment in IIM, Ahmedabad including the academic background and documentary evidences of the same. The PIO submitted that whatever information was available was provided to the appellant. The appellant requested for inspection of the relevant documents. The CIC observed that the information sought by the appellant was regarding a third person namely Prof. Dheeraj Sharma which is purely in the nature of personal information of a third party and thus exempted from disclosure u/s 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act. The CIC cautioned the PIO to remain careful while handling the RTI applications and ensure that such kind of mistakes do not occur in future.

Comments

Disclosure of third party information without giving a third party notice indicates the pathetic level of knowledge of the provisions of the RTI Act, 2005. IIM, Ahmedabad, being the premier management institute of the country, is expected to set example in all fields. The irreparable loss caused to the third party by the disclosure of information which is beyond the scope of the RTI Act cannot be undone.

Citation: Nirmalya Bandyopadhyay v. Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad in Decision no.: -CIC/IIMAH/A/2019/114008/02862, Date of Decision: 12/02/2020

Dr. Anuradha Verma (dranuradhaverma@yahoo.co.in) is an expert on RTI matters and has co-authored the books RIGHT TO INFORMATION - LAW AND PRACTICE and PIO’s guide to RTI. Apart from her weekly article here, her other articles can be read at the website of RTI Foundation of India at the link: www.rtifoundationofindia.com