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2025 Supreme(Online)(CIC) 576
के (cid:3)ीय सूचना आयोग Central Information Commission बाबा गंगनाथ माग(cid:18), मुिनरका
Baba Gangnath Marg, Munirka नई िद(cid:24)ी, New Delhi – 110067 File No: CIC/TDDEL/A/2023/649458 V Singh .….अपीलकता(cid:18)/Appellant VERSUS बनाम PIO, TRANSPORT DEPARTMANT, 5/9 UNDER HILL ROAD, DELHI – 110054 ….(cid:29)ितवादीगण /Respondent Date of Hearing : 13.01.2025 Date of Decision : 16.01.2025 INFORMATION COMMISSIONER : Vinod Kumar Tiwari Relevant facts emerging from appeal:
RTI application filed on : 25.07.2023 CPIO replied on : 21.08.2023 First appeal filed on : 11.09.2023 First Appellate Authority’s order : 05.10.2023 2nd Appeal/Complaint dated : 21.10.2023 Information sought:
The Appellant filed an RTI application (offline) dated 25.07.2023 seeking the following information:
“जानकार(cid:6) (cid:8)मल(cid:6) है क(cid:13) सरल (cid:15)(cid:16)ैप डीलर (cid:20)वारा प(cid:22)रवहन (cid:23)वभाग के एएसआई जय भगवान (cid:20)वारा (cid:8)मलकर गा(cid:31)ड़य! को #दए गए पते पर (cid:15)(cid:16)ै(cid:23)पगं याड ’म( ना भेजकर अ*य जगह पर खोलकर उनके पाट’ को .फर से बेच #दया जाता है और इस बात क(cid:13) जानकार(cid:6) सरल (cid:15)(cid:16)े(cid:23)पगं याड ’के सीसीट(cid:6)वी से ल(cid:6) जा सकती है आपस े 4नवेदन है कृपया इससे संबं6धत जानकार(cid:6) उपल8ध कराएं
1. प(cid:22)रवहन (cid:23)वभाग क(cid:13) इंफोसम’ (ट ट(cid:6)म 68 (cid:20)वारा .कस .कस (cid:15)(cid:16)ैप डीलर के साथ (cid:8)मलकर जय भगवान (cid:20)वारा #दनांक 1.7.23 स े आज तक कुल .कतनी गा(cid:31)ड़यां (cid:15)(cid:16)ैप डीलर के साथ (cid:8)मलकर घर! से उठाई गई उनके नाम और नंबर सह(cid:6)त (cid:8)ल(cid:15)ट उपल8ध कराएं और #दनांक 1.7.23 से आज तक AS। जय भगवान क(cid:13) चलान से संब6ंधत डायर(cid:6) का (cid:22)रकॉड ’अवलोकन कराएं व गाड़ी नंबर DL ICAA 0004 के RC. पोलूशन इंAयोर(स. लॉग बकु के ओ(cid:22)रिजनल (cid:22)रकॉड ’का (cid:22)रकॉड ’अवलोकन कराएं और जो भी काफ(cid:13) चा#हए वह EमाFणत उपल8ध कराएं
2. प(cid:22)रवहन (cid:23)वभाग (cid:20)वारा (cid:15)(cid:16)ैप डीलर (cid:20)वारा (cid:8)मलकर अपना समय परूा करन े पर परुानी गा(cid:31)ड़य! को घर! व गेराज म( खड़ी गा(cid:31)ड़य! को उठान े स े संबं6धत 4नयम व शतH क(cid:13) गाइडलाइन क(cid:13) EमाFणत काफ(cid:13) उपल8ध कराएं 3. प(cid:22)रवहन (cid:23)वभाग क(cid:13) ट(cid:6)म (cid:20)वारा गाड़ी उठाने के बाद देखा जाता है .क गाड़ी #दए गए एIसे पर (cid:15)(cid:16)े(cid:23)पगं याड ’ म( गई है या कह(cid:6)ं और जाकर (cid:15)(cid:16)ैप क(cid:13) गई है और .कतने #दन बाद मा(cid:8)लक (cid:20)वारा #दए गए फोन पर (cid:15)(cid:16)े(cid:23)पगं का स#ट’.फकेट व (cid:15)(cid:16)े(cid:23)पगं रकम से संबं6धत मैसेज आता है
4. प(cid:22)रवहन (cid:23)वभाग (cid:20)वारा (cid:15)(cid:16)ैप डीलर (cid:20)वारा इंजन नंबर चे(cid:8)सस नंबर कट करके रख ेजाने का ओ(cid:22)रिजनल (cid:22)रकॉड ’व 3 मह(cid:6)ने क(cid:13) सीसीट(cid:6)वी (cid:22)रकॉ(cid:31)डगJ रखना अ4नवाय ’ है (cid:22)रकॉ(cid:31)डगJ कभी मंगवा कर और मौके पर जाकर चके .कया जाता है क(cid:13) उठाई गई गाड़ी 4नयम और शतH के तहत (cid:15)(cid:16)ैप क(cid:13) जा रह(cid:6) है या नह(cid:6)ं और आज तक कभी .कसी अ6धकार(cid:6) ने चके .कया है उठाई गई गाड़ी 4नयम और शतH के तहत (cid:15)(cid:16)ैप हो रह(cid:6) है अगर हा ं तो
अ6धकार(cid:6) का पद व नाम बताएं”
The PIO furnished a reply to the Appellant on 21.08.2023 stating as under:
“1. प(cid:22)रवहन (cid:23)वभाग .क इ*फो(cid:15)मLMट ट(cid:6)म नNबर 68 ने सरल आटो (cid:15)(cid:16)ेपर, रत (cid:15)(cid:16)ैपर 4नवा’ना (cid:15)(cid:16)ेपर, गो Oीन(cid:15)(cid:16)ेपर, एम ट(cid:6) सी (cid:23)वजनेस (cid:15)(cid:16)ैपर तथा रोज माट’ (cid:15)(cid:16)ेपर के साथ (cid:8)मलकर #दनांक 01-7-2022 से 25-7-2023 तक कुल 96 वाहन सावज4नक (cid:15)थान से उठाये हR न .क औथराइसड पा.कJग या घर से उठाये है। अ*य EAन से सNबं6धत लाग बुक, आर सी, Sलूशनल इ*Aयोरे*स को मे*टेन को देखना केयर टे.कंग का काय ’ हR। और वह समय समय पर करता रहता है।
2,3 व 4 प(cid:22)रवहन (cid:23)वभाग .क Eवत’ न शाखाँ से सNबं6धत नह(cid:6)ं है।”
Being dissatisfied, the appellant filed a First Appeal dated 11.09.2023. The FAA vide its order dated 05.10.2023, held as under.
“Appeal Heard. PIOs is directed to provide the desired information to the appellant within 07 days as per rules. Hence, case is disposed off.”
Feeling aggrieved and dissatisfied, appellant approached the Commission with the instant Second Appeal.
A written submission dated 06.01.2025 has been filed by the PIO/Enforcement Branch, Transport Department, GNCTD, Delhi is taken on record. Contents of the same are reproduced below:
“…The appellant filed his RTI application dated 25.07.2023 which was responded vide response dated 21.08.2023 enclosing therewith inputs received from Enforcement Branch regarding query (1) of RTI application. Complete list of vehicles lifted by Enforcement Team was provided. However, copies of documents relating to departmental-vehicle DLICAA- 0004 i.e. Pollution Certificate, Insurance-Policy etc were not provided as Insurance for government-vehicles is exempted under section 146(2) of Motor Vehicles Act. Moreover, fuel (Petrol/Diesel) is not available to department's vehicle without production of Pollution Certificate. Query regarding Log Book is vague since period for which copy of Log-Book was sought was not mentioned in RTI application.
Kind reference is drawn to verdict dated 13.11.2019 (Civil Appeal number 2683, 10044 & 10045 of 2010) by Constitution Bench of Supreme Court of India in the matter "Central Public Information Officer, Supreme Court versus Subhash Chandra Agrawal" wherein the Apex Court observed as under.
44. In line with the aforesaid discussion, we need to note that following non- exhaustive considerations needs to be considered while assessing the 'public interest' under Section 8 of the RTI Act.
a. Nature and content of the information b. Consequences of non-disclosure; dangers and benefits to public c. Type of confidential obligation.
d. Beliefs of the confidant; reasonable suspicion e. Party to whom information is disclosed f. Manner in which information acquired g. Public and private interests h. Freedom of expression and proportionality.
In view of above-referred verdict by Hon'ble Supreme Court, it is beyond understanding what purpose would be solved by getting documents relating to a government-vehicle like R.C., Pollution Certificate, Insurance Policy etc.
The appellant filed his undated First Appeal which was disposed of vide an order dated 05.10.2023 directing PIO to provide information as per rules within seven days of appeal-order. Compliance to order was done vide response dated 10.10.2023 by PIO (Scrapping cell) providing available information as per rules and as available on record to rest of the queries i.e. query-numbers (2) to (4). However for further clarification, a copy of RVSF Rules 2021 is being enclosed with these submissions even though the same was not specifically asked for in RTI application.
In view of above, it is requested that the Second Appeal before your honour may kindly be disposed of accordingly.”
Relevant Facts emerged during Hearing:
The following were present:-
Appellant: Not present.
Respondent: Shri Pushpraj, SO/PIO along with Shri A.K. Kaushik, EO/PIO present in person.
The Respondent stated that in compliance of FAA’s order, a revised reply has been provided to the appellant vide letter bearing F.No.4(1)/PCO/Scrap/TPT/2023/92748 dated 10.10.2023 with the following information:
“1. Doesn't pertain to Scrapping Cell may be provided by Enforcement Branch.
2. Copy Attached.
3. Scrapping Cell doesn't inspect the Scrapping yards of the RVSFs in such matters however for payment related issues of end of life vehicles, owner of the such vehicles contacts to the concerned Scrapper/RVSF on the mobile number given on the Seizure Memo and address given on the seizure memo thereafter on submission of requisite documents RVSFs releases the scrap value and scrapping certificates.
4. Scrapping procedure is adopted by the concerned RVSFs as per RVSF Rules 2021.”
Further reply of information asked in the point no-1 doesn't pertain to Scrapping Cell may be provided by Enforcement Branch.”
Respondent further apprised the Commission that new guidelines/SoP for releasing end of life vehicle (ELV) seized as part of enforcement drive as per paras 6 & 7 of the Guidelines for handling ELV in public places of Delhi, 2024 has been issued on 21.10.2024 (copy placed in the file). In addition, an office order was also issued by the Transport Department, GNCTD, Delhi on
07.01.2025 with the following contents:
“GOVERNMENT OF NATIONAL CAPITAL TERRITORY OF DELHI TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT: SCRAPPING CELL
5/9, UNDER HILL ROAD: DELHI-110054 F.24(1)/NO/SCRAP/TPT/2024/075786517/1076 Dated: 07/01/25
ORDER
Complaints are being received in the department from the vehicle owners whose vehicles have been seized/impounded in the enforcement drive against the End-of Life vehicle and unregistered or without fitness e-rickshaws that owners are not given an opportunity to recover important & valuable documents/items kept in the impounded/seized vehicle.
In view of above, all the RVSFs (Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facilities)
associated with the Transport Department, GNCTD are hereby directed to give at least one chance to the vehicle owners or their authorised/representatives to inspect their impounded/seized vehicles and recover their important/valuable documents and items kept in the vehicle before it is impounded/seized and handed over to the RVSF for scrapping of the vehicle.
If the vehicle is already scrapped as per due procedure/ rules/ guidelines, then a copy of 'Certificate of deposit' and 'Certificate of Vehicle Scrapping' shall be provided to the vehicle owner/authorised representative by the RVSF.
This issues with the prior approval of Competent Authority.
Sd/-
Deputy Commissioner (Scrapping Cell)”
Decision:
The Commission, after adverting facts and circumstances of the case, hearing the respondent and perusal of records observed that replies of the respondent are flawed and queries of the instant RTI application (except point No. 1) in terms of the RTI Act have not been adequately answered. Accordingly, the respondent i.e. PIO, Scrapping Cell, Transport Department, GNCTD, Delhi is directed to revisit the contents of RTI application except point No. 1 and provide a revised updated point-wise information to the appellant as per the provisions of the RTI Act after accessing the same from the concerned department, under Section 5(4) of the RTI Act. Further, the information which is exempted from disclosure be redacted/blackened out.
Important orders/Rules and amendment thereto such as the Order dated 07.01.2025, should be given vide publicity, however, since it was issued just two days before election to the state assembly were announced, it should be done once the present code of conduct period is over.
The above-mentioned directions should be complied by the respondent within 4 weeks of the date of receipt of this order. FAA to ensure compliance of the directions. ADVISORY Further, in the spirit of the RTI Act, advisory under Section 25(5) of the RTI Act is issued to the Respondent Public Authority for (i) amending the concerned Rules to incorporate the provisions for inspection of seized end-of-life vehicles to its owner as allowed in the Order dated 07.01.2025; and (ii) upfront disclosure of information regarding Rules, Bye laws, SoP, Guidelines, Office Orders governing RVSFs (Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facilities) under Section 4 of the RTI Act in public domain, as recently directed by Hon’ble Apex Court in the case titled Kishan Chand Jain v. UOI & Ors. Writ Petition (Civil) No. 990 of 2021 to make it easy for a layperson particularly vehicle owners to get relevant information through website. This will also relieve the Public Authority of the burden of RTI Applications.
The FAA is directed to place a copy of this order before the Competent Authority concerned for compliance with the above advisories.
The appeal is disposed of accordingly.
Vinod Kumar Tiwari (िवनोद कु मार ितवारी
Information Commissioner (सूचना आयु
Authenticated true copy (अिभ(cid:29)मािणत स!ािपत (cid:29)ित)
(S. Anantharaman)
Dy. Registrar
011- 26181927 Date Copy To: The FAA, TRANSPORT DEPARTMANT, 5/9 UNDER HILL ROAD, DELHI - 110054 Recomendation(s) to PA under section 25(5) of the RTI Act, 2005:-
1. It is recommended to maintain records in digital form for proper management and ease of access in compliance with clause (a) of sub-section (1) of section 4 of the RTI Act, 2005.
