के (cid:574)ीय सूचना आयोग Central Information Commission बाबा गंगनाथ माग१,मुिनरका

Baba Gangnath Marg, Munirka नई िद(cid:671)ी, New Delhi – 110067 ि(cid:554)तीय अपील संূा / Second Appeal No. CIC/SBIND/A/2024/622563 +

CIC/SBIND/A/2024/622666 +

CIC/SBIND/A/2024/622663 Ravindra Parmar … अपीलकता१/Appellant VERSUS बनाम CPIO: State Bank Of India Nariman Point, Mumbai …ঋितवादीगण/Respondent Relevant dates emerging from the appeal(s):

Sl. No. Second Date of Date of Date of Date of Date of Appeal RTI CPIO’s First FAA’s Second No. Application Reply Appeal Order Appeal

1. 622563 24.03.2024 22.04.2024 26.04.2024 18.05.2024 28.05.2024 2. 622666 30.03.2024 26.04.2024 01.05.2024 28.05.2024 28.05.2024 3. 622663 30.03.2024 29.04.2024 01.05.2024 28.05.2024 28.05.2024 The instant set of appeals have been clubbed for decision as these relate to similar RTI Applications and same subject matter.

Date of Hearing: 17.06.2025 Date of Decision: 25.06.2025 CORAM:

Hon’ble Commissioner _ANANDI RAMALINGAM O R D E R Second Appeal No. CIC/SBIND/A/2024/622563

1. The Appellant filed an RTI application dated 24.03.2024 seeking information on the following points:

 Honorable Constitutional Bench of Supreme Court had directed SBI to provide details wrt Electoral Bonds to Election Commission of India until 06.03.2024. Instead, SBI filed Application on 04.03.2024 for seeking time upto 30.06.2024. A counter Contempt Petition is filed by the opposite party. On 11.03.2024, Honorable SC directed for disclosure by 12.03.2024 which has been complied by SBI.

1. Provide details of the fees paid or to be paid to advocate Harish Salve by SBI for the present case of Electoral Bonds till dated of 24.03.2024.

2. Provide attested copy of file noting wrt Electoral Bonds details submitted to ECI till dated of 24.03.2024.

3. Provide attested copy of file noting wrt Affidavit filed in Honorable Supreme Court by SBI Chairman on information wrt Electoral Bonds details submitted to ECI till dated of 24.03.2024.

4. Provide details of the SBI officers alongwith their names and designations who decided to submit Electoral Bonds details to ECI and file Affidavit filed in Honorable Supreme Court by SBI Chairman on information wrt Electoral Bonds upto 24.03.2024.

5. Provide details of Electoral Bonds purchased in cash by the corporate or company of individual Electoral Bonds wef 01.01.2016 till 15.02.2024 and redeemed by political party or political leader or any other individual wef

01.01.2019 till 15.02.2024.

…, etc./ other related information

1.1. The CPIO replied vide letter dated 22.04.2024 and the same is reproduced as under :-

1. The information sought by you is third party personal information held by the Bank in fiduciary capacity, disclosure of which is exempted under Section 8(1) (e) & (j) and the same is also of commercial confidence in nature, hence denied as it is exempted under section 8 (1) (d) of the RTI Act. 2. No such information is available with the CPIO. 3. No such information is available with the CPIO.

4. The information sought by you is vague and based on presumptions and hence the same does not fall under the category of Information' as defined under Section 2(f) of the RTI Act 2005.

5. Clause 11 of Gazette Notification No 20 dated 02.01.2018 reads as follows: 1) All payments for the issuance of the bond shall be accepted in Indian rupees, through demand draft or cheque or through Electronic Clearing System or direct debit to the buyer's account.

(2) Where payment is made through cheque or demand draft, the same shall be drawn in favour of the issuing bank at the place of issue such bond.

Hence, no purchase in cash was permitted for Electoral Bonds.

1.2. Dissatisfied with the response received from the CPIO, the Appellant filed a First Appeal dated 26.04.2024 alleging that the information provided was incomplete, false and misleading. The FAA vide order dated 18.05.2024 upheld the reply given by the CPIO.

1.3. Aggrieved with the FAA’s order, the Appellant approached the Commission with the