The Delhi High Court on Tuesday stayed an order of the Chief Information Commission (CIC) directing the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) to provide information relating to Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, which is looking after construction and management of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. Justice Pratibha Singh granted the interim relief while noting that the CIC had not issued notice to the trust whose information was sought, which is mandated under the provisions of the RTI Act.
The High Court, in its order, said the CIC has not considered the fact that the information relating to the income tax records is exempted under Section 138 of the Income Tax Act, 1961 which is a special law. The court was hearing a plea by the Central Public Information Officer (CPIO) of CBDT seeking quashing of the November 30, 2022 order of the CIC which had directed that the CPIO would revisit certain points made in the application under the Right to Information Act and provide information within 15 days from the receipt of the order.
The RTI applicant had sought a copy of complete application (with all annexures) filed by the trust for getting exemption or deduction under the relevant provisions for its donations. He had also sought a copy of the trust deed of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra which was filed with the application for getting exemption or deduction for its donations.