Ministry of External Affairs denies RTI info on Lalit Modi papers

New DELHI: With external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj facing opposition onslaught over 'Lalitgate', her office has declined to provide information about the controversy surrounding restoration of former IPL boss Lalit Modi's passport, drawing sharp criticism from Congress and the Left.

Responding to an RTI plea containing seven questions, the external affairs ministry said, while a part of the queries did not come under the purview of the transparency law, regarding others it pleaded lack of information.

The questions included one about who had taken a decision not to appeal in the SC the Delhi HC's decision restoring Modi's passport.

The MEA said the application has been "transferred" to its consular of passport and visa division as well as to the ministry of finance and minstry of home. The MEA's action drew stinging criticism from the opposition, with Congress calling it against the spirit' of RTI Act and CPM alleging the transparency law has been "sabotaged" by the Modi government.

"This is against the spirit of the RTI ACT," said senior Congress leader P C Chacko.

"In fact, any private information need not be disclosed but here is a case which is affecting even the security of the country also and person who is fugitive, who is an absconder, against whom there is an inquiry going on... and when information is sought on that, it simply cannot be treated as a private matter," he said.