19-12-2015
My friend Shri Jayantilal Mistry [semi literate but
socially active] of Vadodara Gujarat had sought information including RBI audit
report of a coop bank from Reserve Bank of India under RTI Act on 19-10-2010,
which was denied under sections 8.1 a [economic interest of country], and 8.1.e
[fiduciary relationship]. First appeal failed and hence second appeal was filed
with Central Information Commission, which was decided on 01-11-2011 in appellant’s favour and RBI was
ordered to supply information. RBI obtained stay order from Hon’ble High Court
of Delhi on 29-11-2011. We filed a detailed reply to writ petition in High
Court directly without assistance of advocate. Subsequently some interveners
were permitted at High Court. In May 2015, at the instance of RBI writ was
transferred to Hon’ble Supreme Court since on similar issues 11 writs of RBI
were pending in various High Courts. Finally on 16-12-2015 Divisional Bench of
2 judges of Hon’ble Supreme Court upheld decision of CIC in writ petition No.
91/2015. It is a landmark judgment disposing off 11 writs which were filed by
RBI in various High Courts against CIC decisions to disclose under RTI Act.
Full judgement is available on website of Supreme Court http://www.judis.nic.in/supremecourt/Chrseq.aspx item No. 5--RBI v/s Jayantibhai N. Mistry. It is
worth reading.
I am happy to be actively associated with this case.
