The Central Information Commission (CIC) has directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to make public properties of its officials in Mumbai and Delhi and their source of income for the last 10 years. It also asked the CBI to disclose file notings regarding appointment of its director.
The decision came on an application of one SS Ranawat, of Rajasthan who had sought this information from the CBI. But as he was denied information, he approached the CIC.
Information Commissioner Shailesh Gandhi rejected CBI's plea that as it has been brought in the list of bodies exempted from disclosure under transparency law, all the appeals should now be considered “infructous”. He said the notification has not been issued with a retrospective effect, hence CBI has to respond to applications filed before June 9. He also asked to provide information to Ranawat before July 30.
“The notification was issued on June 9 and there is no express stipulation whatsoever that the notification shall come into force with effect from any date prior to June 9. Moreover, the notification does not appear to indicate any intention of affecting existing rights and therefore, must be construed as prospective in nature,” Gandhi said.
