The Central Information Commission has pulled up the CBI for denying information to an RTI applicant on cash-for-query TV sting operation in which MPs were accused of taking bribes for asking questions in Parliament.
The panel headed by Chief Information Commissioner Wajahat Habibullah termed the denial of information as "symptomatic of a larger malaise which is an unsystematic servicing of the Right to Information (RTI) by the CBI" and directed the agency to provide the details within 10 days.
Chennai-based General Secretary of Jebamani Janta Party, J Mohanraj, had filed as many as five applications with the CBI last year seeking details on various counts including action taken on his complaint relating to the TV expose.
He had also asked for information on the constitution of Multi-disciplary Management Authority (MDMA) to probe the
Rajiv Gandhi assassination case and the officers who had been allegedly "globe-trotting" to probe the case and the expenses involved in their foreign jaunts.
The applicant sought details whether political leaders including Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, Janta Party President Subramanian Swamy and Subbulakshmi Jagadeesan had been examined by CBI in the case.
The applicant sought details whether political leaders including Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, Janta Party President Subramanian Swamy and Subbulakshmi Jagadeesan had been examined by CBI in the case.
The Chief Public Information officer of CBI refused to provide information the ground that the disclosure "would impede the process of investigation or apprehension or prosecution of offenders".
The agency said the matter on investigation being conducted by MDMA was before a TADA court in Chennai which was holding 'in camera' proceedings.