SIC rejects appeal for making MP Governor's report on law & order public

BHOPAL: The Madhya Pradesh State Information Commission has rejected an appeal against the disclosure of a Governor's report sent to the Centre on prevailing political, and law and order situation in the state, an order which may pave the way for making public the confidential document.

The move comes following an RTI application filed in 2011 by social activist Ajay Dubey, who had sought to know the details of the Governor's report and the action taken by the administration on it.

The rejection of his plea by the Governor's office forced him to move to the First Appellate Authority (FAA), which had in 2012 directed that the applicant's request for a particular document after inspecting relevant records (of Governor's report) need to be processed following legal and due procedures.

The Governor's office did not comply with the order. Following which, Dubey filed a writ petition in Madhya Pradesh High Court in July 2013, which held that the FAA order need to be followed.

However, the Governor's office filed a second appeal before the State Information Commission (SIC) in August 2013 seeking cancellation of the FAA's order.

While hearing the matter, the SIC in its order dated August 17, which was received by Dubey today, said it is not right for the Commission to reject FAA order due to the High Court's directive in this regard.

The Commission also noted that the Governor's office has not approached the MP High Court or the Supreme Court as against the advice of Advocate General in the matter. Hence, the second appeal cannot be admitted and thereby rejected, the order said.

"It is a big order. Now, the Governor's office need to comply with the MP High Court order and show me records of the Governor's report. As per the court order, I can also seek the required information based on it and they have to make public the report," Dubey said.