The denial of information under RTI was justified as it was deemed commercial confidence and trade secrets without public interest considerations.

ORDER

1. The Appellant filed an RTI application dated 08.06.2024 seeking information on the following points:

 SUB: request for vender 1(GURUSWAMY) statement from date 01-02-2016 to 08- 08-2024

1. You are kindly requested to provide VENDER1(GURUSWAMY) statement from date 01-02-2016 to 08-06-2024

2. The CPIO replied vide letter dated 06.07.2024 and the same is reproduced as under :-

“In this regard, we would like to inform you that, there is no Account number mentioned in your online application, Further with regards to statement the sought information pertains to normal banking operations and is made available through normal regular procedures to the account holders in accordance with the banking system. To obtain the sought details of the accounts / information, please contact our Kadur Branch and obtain the said information after producing valid proof of your identity.”

3. Dissatisfied with the response received from the CPIO, the Appellant filed a First Appeal dated 30.07.2024 alleging that the information provided was incomplete, false and misleading. The FAA vide order dated 20.08.2024 directed the CPIO to revisit the application.

4. In compliance of the FAA order, the CPIO replied vide letter dated 30.08.2024 and the same is reproduced as under: -

“The information sought by you is treated as commercial confidence, trade secrets or intellectual property, the disclosure of which would harm the competitive position of a third party, unless the competent authority is satisfied that larger public interest warrants the disclosure of such information.

As the information sought by you is relating to GL Code which falls under the exempted category as per Section 8(1)(d) of RTI Act, 2005 and you did not indicate the involvement of larger public interest, we are unable to provide the requested information under Section 8 (1) (j) of RTI Act, 2005 .”

5. Aggrieved with the FAA’s order, the Appellant approached the Commission with the instant Second Appeal dated 04.09.2024.

6. The appellant appeared through video conference and on behalf of the respondent Mr. Vijay Kumar, Divisional Manager, attended the hearing through video conference.

7. The appellant inter alia submitted that he sought vender 1 statement from 01.02.2016 to 08.08.2024 and the same was denied by the respondent U/s 8(1)(d) and 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act.

8. The respondent while defending their case inter alia submitted that the information sought by the appellant is not related to the account number/salary details of the appellant and further the sought information is treated as commercial confidence, trade secrets. Written submission dated 08.10.2025 filed by the respondent is taken on record and relevant portion of the same is reproduced below:

“The RTI appellant in his appeal had completely sought fresh information, wherein he is seeking details of GL (General Ledger) code no. 420083010 pertaining to the Branch.

After analyzing the matter CPIO vide reply dated 30.08.2024 to his RTI appeal had replied stating that The information sought by the RTI applicant is treated as commercial confidence, trade secrets or intellectual property, the disclosure of which would harm the competitive position of a third party, unless the competent authority is satisfied that larger public interest warrants the disclosure of such information.

As the information sought relate to GL (General Ledger) code which falls under the exempted category as per Section 8 (1) (d) of RTI Act, 2005 and didn't indicate the larger public interest, as such the information as requested under Section 8 (1) (J) of the RTI Act, 2005 was not [provided to the RTI applicant.]

Now, the RTI applicant had filed appeal before the Hon'ble Central information Commission, New Delhi. I hereby respectfully submit that the CPIO had replied to the