No mala-fide intention established against CPIO as timely responses were provided under RTI Act.

Information sought:

1. The Complainant filed an (online) RTI application dated 23.03.2024 seeking the following information:

“(a) Name and designation of Presiding Officer and Members of Internal Complaints Committee constituted for Prevention of Sexual Harassment against women as per POSH Act 2013 in PAO ORS MRC Wellington.

(b) Copy of official order promulgated for (a).”

2. The CPIO furnished a reply to the complainant on 17.04.2024 stating as under:

“(a) The Competent Authority vide Main Office Pt-II O.O. No.152 dated 27/03/2024, has constituted the Committee on Prevention of Sexual harassment of Working Women at the work place comprising of the following members:

(b) Copy of official order promulgated for (a) is enclosed herewith.”

3. Being dissatisfied, the complainant filed a First Appeal dated 18.04.2024.

The FAA vide its order dated 17.05.2024, held as under.

“With regard to the information sought vide RTI Appeal dated 18.04.2024, copy of CDA Chennai Part-II O.O. No.215 dated 10.05.2024 is enclosed herewith.

The appeal is thus disposed of as above.

Encl. is as under:

The Competent Authority has approved the Committee proposed by PAO (OR MRI Wellington on Prevention of Sexual Harassment of Working Women as the work place for Wellington Station comprising of the following members

1) Smt. Smitha Biju, SAO Chairman/Presiding Officer

2) Shri. B Kamala Kannan, SAO Member 3) Smt. K. Manimala, AAD Member 4) Smt. P Jeevanya. SA Member 5) Smt. Ambiga R. Aud Member 6) Smt. Athira Ponnari, Aud Member 7) Smt K Kiruthika, MTS Member

8) Smt. Najuma Bai Nazeer, Advocate NGO Member”

4. Feeling aggrieved and dissatisfied, complainant approached the Commission with the instant Complaint on the ground of false and misleading information given by the CPIO.

5. A written submission dated 21.08.2025 filed by Shri C Srinivas Reddy, IDAS, ACDA/CPIO is taken on record. Contents of the same are reproduced below for ready reference:

“Para 1

2. Shri Anoop TS had submitted an online RTI request bearing no. CGDFA/R/E/24/01111 dated 23.03.2024 (Exhibit No. I) to the Public Authority seeking details of Presiding Officer and members of Internal Complaints Committee(ICC) and asked for copy of official order constituting the committee. The information available at that point of time was provided to the applicant along with copy of order issued by Administrative Authority for constitution of the ICC. Copy of the reply is placed at Exhibit No. II. The contention of the applicant that the CPIO provided false information is not correct as the committee was constituted by Administrative Controller (i.e CDA Chennai) of PAO MRC Wellington complying with order of DOP&T on the subject to deal with complaints of sexual harassments against women officers/staff serving under the organization of CDA Chennai. These facts were also communicated by the Appellate Authority vide CDA Chennai letter No. CPIO/RTI APPEAL NO.1/2024-25 dated 17/05/2024 (Exhibit No. III) in disposal of appeal filed by the applicant vide CGDFA/R/E/24/00284 dated 18.04.2024 (Exhibit No. IV).

Para 2

3. No comments to offer on the derogatory remarks put in by the applicant against the CPIO, which does not come under the purview of RTI Act 2005.

Para 3

4. Since the details of the ICC functioning under the organization of CDA Chennai had been provided to the applicant, it is submitted that the appeal does not hold any merit.

5. In view of the above, it is humbly requested that the Hon'ble Commission may kindly dismiss the appeal.”

Relevant Facts emerged during Hearing:

The following were present:-

Complainant: Present through video conferen