Action taken on E-FIR

The Appellant filed an RTI application seeking information related to E-FIR regarding a cyber-fraud such as action on the FIR, as per the Citizens Charter, in how many days should HE expect reply on above FIR, the reasons under Sec 4 (1) (d) of the RTI Act for the delay,  whether the above FIR contents are found frivolous etc. The appellant submitted before the CIC that the information provided was not clear and satisfactory. If the FIR in question was untraceable then it implies that there is laxity on the part of the organisation/ personnel involved and action should be taken against the erring official (s). The ACP tendered his apology for the ambiguity caused by the PIO’s response and clarified that while mentioning that the E FIR is untraced, the SHO, Sultanpuri implied that the accused are not traceable. The CIC observed that the RTI application has not been attended appropriately as the point wise reply of the SHO, Sultanpuri was poorly drafted causing ambiguity for the Appellant. Therefore, the CIC directed the PIO to provide a clear and cogent point wise reply with the updated factual position to the Appellant by 15.01.2024 under intimation to the Commission.

Comments

Readers would have noted the use of section 4(1)(d) of the RTI Act by the appellant to seek the reasons for the delay. A PIO should be careful while sending a reply to ensure an unambiguous reply.

Citation: Ms. Shikha Sharma v. Delhi Police, CIC/DEPOL/A/2022/125152; Date of Decision: 13.12.2023