Personal information like T.A. bill cannot be directed to be given under RTI Act, 2005

Chhattisgarh Board of Secondary Education Vs Public Information Officer (Chhattisgarh High Court)

Personal information like T.A. bill etc. cannot be directed to be given under the Right to Information Act, 2005 in view of Section 8(1)(j) of the said Act.

The conflict between the right to personal privacy and the public interest in the disclosure of personal information stands recognized by the legislature in terms of exempting purely personal information under Section 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act. Under such exemption clause, the disclosure may be refused if the request pertains to personal information, the disclosure of which has no relation to any pubic activity or interest or which would cause unwarranted invasion of the privacy of the individual.

it is quite vivid that the private respondent has sought information relating to travelling allowance paid to the employee of the petitioner Board along with other bills which is clearly protected by the provisions contained in Section 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act. Therefore, the State Public Information Commission is absolutely unjustified in directing providing of such information to the information seeker of respondent No.1. Therefore, that part of order deserves to be and is accordingly quashed.

FULL TEXT OF THE HIGH COURT ORDER / JUDGMENT

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