Relevant facts emerging from appeal:

Information sought:

1. The Appellant filed an RTI application dated 14.05.2024 (offline) seeking the following information:

“Please intimate the chronology of action taken on CERC’s letters dated 18th April 2024 and 10th May 2024.(copies enclosed)

2. Please intimate the amount of security deposit available with NDMC in respect of following EPID Nos.

1. 0003593

2. 0003636

3. 0003644

4. 0004174

5. 0004202

6. 0004208

7. 0004209

8. 0004210

3. Please also intimate the procedure of security refund after the premises have been handed over to NDMC after vacation.”

2. Not having received any response from the PIO, the Appellant filed a First Appeal dated 19.06.2024. The FAA’s order is not on record.

3. Feeling aggrieved and dissatisfied, Appellant approached the Commission with the instant Second Appeal.

Relevant Facts emerged during Hearing:

Attendance of the parties.

Appellant: He, along with Shri Vinod Kumar Jha, appeared in person.

Respondent: Shri Vikram Kumar Yadav, Joint Director/PIO and Shri Sanjeet Yadav, ASO, appeared in person.

4. Proof of having served a copy of Second Appeal/Complaint on Respondent while filing the same in CIC on 23.10.2024 is not available on record. The Respondent confirmed non-service. Thus, Regulation No. 10 of the Central Information Commission Management Regulations 2007 has not been complied with by the Appellant.

5. The Appellant inter alia submitted that he is working as an Administrative Officer in the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC), presently functioning from 8th Floor, Tower-B, World Trade Centre, Nauroji Nagar, New Delhi-110029. It was submitted that CERC had hired office accommodation at Chanderlok Building, Janpath, New Delhi, from NDMC in the year 2007 and, over time, additional accommodation at the same premises was also taken on rent. The monthly rent was regularly paid by CERC as per the bills raised by NDMC.

6. The Appellant further submitted that CERC vacated the rented premises at Chanderlok Building on 30.06.2024 after office accommodation at the World Trade Centre was allotted on a freehold basis by NBCC on behalf of Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. Since 30.06.2024 was a Sunday, the keys of the premises were formally handed over to NDMC on 01.07.2024.

7. The Appellant stated that CERC had deposited separate security amounts with NDMC towards the office accommodation as well as electricity connections. During reconciliation of electricity bills, it was noticed that the security deposits were either not reflected or were incorrectly shown. After repeated visits to NDMC offices with personal requests, the security deposits relating to electricity connections were reconciled and refunded. However, the security deposit pertaining to the office accommodation remained unresolved despite repeated efforts. It was submitted that several representations were made to the Estates-I Department of NDMC for reconciliation and refund of the security deposits, but no response was received. According to the Appellant, NDMC had consistently failed to respond even to official communications and D.O. letters issued by the Secretary/Chairperson, CERC to their counterparts in NDMC. Aggrieved by the non-response and nonchalance of the NDMC on their requests, the Appellant filed RTI Application dated 14.05.2024 (bearing application No. NDMC/R/2024/60495) seeking details of the security deposits maintained by NDMC.

8. The Appellant submitted that these grievances were separately raised with NDMC in January 2026; however, no response was received till CIC hearing notice. He further stated that despite making several personal visits to NDMC offices, no meaningful assistance was extended. On one