The denial of information under the RTI Act, 2005, invoking Section 8(1)(j) was justified as the information sought was deemed to cause unwarranted invasion of privacy and did not serve a larger public interest. The petitioner was directed to seek necessary documents through appropriate legal channels.

JUDGMENT :

(Prathiba M. Singh, J.)

1. This hearing has been done through video conferencing.

2. The present four petitions have been filed by the Petitioner challenging the impugned order dated 5th January, 2021 passed in Second Appeal by the Central Information Commission (hereinafter ‘CIC’) in four separate cases arising out of four applications under the Right to Information Act, 2005 (hereinafter “RTI Act, 2005”). The said RTI applications dated 28th June, 2018 were filed by the Petitioner herein, seeking information relating to the complaints lodged by his estranged wife, Ms. Abhilasha Malhotra, impleaded as Respondent No.4 herein, against her previous two husbands and their family members.

3. The Petitioner was married to Respondent No.4 Ms. Abhilasha Malhotra on 10th December, 2017. Various disputes arose between the parties in their matrimonial life leading to various complaints and proceedings. The following proceedings are stated to be pending between the Petitioner and Respondent No.4.

i) A matrimonial suit being Mat. Suit. No. 05/2019 (formerly numbered as Mat. Suit. No. 1759/2018) was filed by the Petitioner before the District Judge, Alipore, Kolkata seeking a decree of nullity of marriage on the ground that the marriage between the Petitioner and Respondent No.4 was voidable as being violative of Section 25(iii) of the Special Marriage Act, 1954 (hereinafter “SMA, 1954”) as the Petitioner’s consent to the marriage was obtained by fraud.

ii) A criminal complaint filed by Respondent No.4 against the Petitioner being FIR No.78/2018 under Section 498A/406/377/34 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 pending before the Mahila Court, Dwarka, Delhi, where the Charge Sheet has been filed against the Petitioner and his family members.

iii) A General Diary entry dated 09th March 2018 lodged by the father of the Petitioner at the Alipore Police Station, Kolkata in respect of the matrimonial disputes between the Petitioner and Respondent No.4.

4. The present petitions arise out of the RTI query which was filed by the Petitioner under Section 6(1) of the RTI Act, 2005.

I. The particulars of the information sought by the Petitioner under the first RTI application are set out hereunder:

“(b) Particulars of information required

(i) Details of information required :

a. Whether any complaint was lodged by Abhilasha Malhotra, resident of 361, Mandakini Enclave, Alaknanda, New Delhi 110019. P. S. Chittaranjan Park under Section 154 Cr. P.C and Section 498A/ 406/377/34 Indian Penal Code?

b. Steps undertaken pursuant to the complaint

c. Status of the complaint

d. Copy of the investigation report

(ii) Period for which information asked: January, 2013 to December, 2015 (both months inclusive)

(iii) Other details”

II. The particulars of the information sought by the Petitioner under the second RTI application are set out hereunder:

“(b) Particulars of information required

(i) Details of information required: Whether any complaint has been lodged before CAW, Delhi by Abhilasha Malhotra, resident of 361, Mandakini Enclave, Alaknanda, New Delhi 110019. P. S. Chittaranjan Park.

Kindly provide following information

a. Copy of the complaint lodged by Abhilasha Malhotra.

b. Copy of the office order for the enquiry in this regard.

c. Name of the members of the enquiry committee.

d. Date of Enquiry.

e. Copy of the enquiry report.

f. Final decision of the competent authority

(ii) Period for which information asked: January, 2013 to December, 2015 (both months inclusive).

(iii) Other details”

III. The particulars of the information sought by the Petitioner under the third RTI application are set out hereunder:

“(b) Particulars of information required

(i) Details of information required: Please refer to complaint lodged on 04th January, 2016 by Abhilasha Malhotra (Wife) resident of 361, Mandakini Enclave, Alaknanda, New Delhi 110019 P.S. Chittaranjan Park against Pranav Kumar (Husband), r