While considering an application under the provisions of Right to Information Act, seeking certain information relating to the passport issued to his wife by the Regional Passport Officer, Passport officer rejects husband’s RTI application, and informed the applicant that, the info cannot be furnished. Such information is not liable to be disclosed in view of the provision of Section 8(1)(j) of the Right to Information Act which prohibits it.
After his appeal was rejected by the first appellate authority, the Joint Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs, applicant had appealed the Central Information Commissioner, and had approached the High Court. The High Court in its order noted that even if that issue of appeal before the Central Information Commissioner is kept aside, the Passport Officer was right in his stand. “The reasons indicated are justified in view of the provisions contained in the Right to Information Act. Hence, the same does not call for interference.”
Section 8(1) (j) in the Right to Information Act, 2005
Information which relates to personal information the disclosure of which has not relationship to any public activity or interest, or which would cause unwarranted invasion of the privacy of the individual unless the Central Public Information Officer or the State Public Information Officer or the appellate authority, as the case may be, is satisfied that the larger public interest justifies the disclosure of such information: Provided that the information, which cannot be denied to the Parliament or a State Legislature shall not be denied to any person.