CENTRAL INFORMATION COMMISSION CLUB BUILDING (NEAR POST OFFICE) OLD JNU CAMPUS, NEW DELHI-110 067 TEL:

011-26179548 Decision No.CIC/VS/A/2013/000384/05739 Appeal No.CIC/VS/A/2013/000384 Dated: 31.12.2013 Appellant: Shri K.D. Aggarwal, R/o 1366, Sector 40-B, Chandigarh. Respondent: Public Information Officer, Canara Bank, R&L Section, Plot No.1, Sector-34-A, Chandigarh-160 022. Date of Hearing: 20.12.2013 ORDER RTI application: 1. The appellant filed an RTI application on 21.09.2012 seeking information pertaining

to a certain account holder. 2. The PIO responded on 28.09.2012 and denied information to the appellant under

section 8(1)(e) and (j) of the RTI Act. The appellant filed a first appeal on 22.10.2012 with the first appellate authority (FAA). The FAA responded on 19.11.2012 and informed the appellant that the sought information does not come under the purview of definition of information under section 2(f) of the RTI Act. The appellant filed a second appeal on 07.01.2013 with the Commission. Hearing:

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The appellant appeared for the hearing in video conferencing. The respondent did

not appear for the hearing. 4. The appellant referred to his RTI application of 21.09.2012 and stated that he wants

to know whether the Canara Bank has any account who has given this particular address. The appellant stated that he simply wants a response from the bank in 'yes' or 'no' and nothing more than a 'yes' or 'no'. 5. The appellant stated that the respondent has mechanically cited certain clauses of the

RTI Act to deny the information without any application of mind. The appellant stated that he has required this information on account of the suspicion that certain malpractices are being routed through this bank account which could be money laundering. 6. The appellant stated that he is an informed citizen, wanting to get information in the

public interest. The appellant emphasized that he does not want any statement of account and that he does not even want to know whether it is a cash credit or savings bank or term loan or a current account. 7.The appellant said that he just wants to get a response from the bank in 'yes' or 'no' on the point mentioned in the RTI application, i.e., whether there is any account-holder in the bank with the addresses mentioned in the RTI application. Decision: 8. The respondent is directed to provide to the appellant, within 30 days of this order,

the information sought as per para 7 above in context of the RTI application. The appeal is disposed of. Copy of decision be given free of cost to the parties.

(Vijai Sharma) Information Commissioner Authenticated true copy

(V.K. Sharma) Designated Officer