2014 (3) TMI 475

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.... (SGPC), Amritsar. The precise information sought by the petitioner as would be discernible from the applications placed on record as Annexures P1/1 and P1/2 was in the following terms : Annexure P1/1 5. Particulars of the information required :- (a)    Places of information Shri Bhupinder Singh s/o Shri Mewa Singh (Designation Guide) Place of Posting : (Takht Sri Kesh Garh Sahib, Shri Anandpur Sahib). 1.     How many times he was placed under suspension during his entire service.     2.     Under which charges he was suspended.     3.     After how much times, he was reinstated.     4.     What punish....

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....1st December, 2012." 3. The Public Information Officer, SGPC in terms of communication dated 23-2-2013 declined the information. The petitioner submitted two complaints under Section 18 of the Act before the State Information Commission, Punjab-Respondent No. 1 seeking its intervention in the matter and for supply of the requisite information. The complaints stand dismissed by the State Information Commission vide separate but identical orders of even date i.e. 17-4-2013, Annexures P4/1 and P4/2. It is such orders passed by the State Information Commission, Punjab, both dated 17-4-2013 that have been impugned in the present writ petition. 4. Mr. H.C Arora, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner has vehemently argued that i....

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....PC who have so far been suspended, the grounds of suspension, the details of reinstatement and the punishments awarded to such employees. 7. Section 8 of the Act deals with exemptions from disclosure of information and Section 8(1)(j) of the Act which would be relevant for the controversy raised in the present writ petition reads in the following terms : "8. Exemption from disclosure of information. - Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, there shall be no obligation to give any citizen, - (a) to (i) xxxxxxxxxxxx (j)     information which relates to personal information the disclosure of which has no relationship to any public activity or interest, or which would cause unwarranted invasion of....

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.... the Appellate Authority is satisfied that the larger public interest justifies the disclosure of such information, appropriate orders could be passed but the petitioner cannot claim those details as a matter of right." 9. As such, orders of suspension in relation to employees of the SGPC, grounds of suspension, reasons for reinstatement, punishments awarded, etc., would qualify to be personal information which would stand exempted under Section 8(1)(j) of the Act. Undoubtedly, as per the statutory provision itself in a given case, it was open for the State Public Information Officer to disclose such information if the larger public interest justified the same. 10. It would be apposite to refer to the complaint submitted by the ....