Foreign Funding Of Political Parties: High Court Issues Notice On Punjab Man's Plea To Inspect Home Ministry's Records Through Representative

The Punjab and Haryana High Court today sought response from the Union Government, Central Information Commission (CIC) and other authorities on plea seeking directions for inspection of records regarding actions taken by Ministry of Home Affairs against political parties who allegedly received foreign funding.

Justice Vikas Behl issued notice to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Union of India, CIC, First Appellate Authority and Public Information Officer, RTI.

Ram Kumar, a 72-year-old resident of Punjab's Mohali, has moved High Court alleging that despite an order from the CIC, he has not received any intimation from MHA to inspect the records through an authorised representative.

Kumar had filed a RTI application in 2017 seeking information with regard to the action taken by the MHA against political parties that allegedly received foreign funding.

The plea stated that in response, the Public Information officer (PIO) of Union Home Ministry had informed the he could inspect the record as per which he authorized someone from Delhi to visit the Ministry for inspecting the record.

However, it is alleged that PIO did not allow the inspection by the authorised representative on the ground that there exist no provision in RTI Act under which an applicant could authorised a representative to inspect.

The plea stated that an appeal was filed and CIC directed the concerned authority of the Ministry to allow the petitioner to inspect through an authorised representative. 

Even after complaining to the CIC, no response has been received either by CIC or PIO intimating the time and date for inspecting the records through representative, the petition read.

ASG Satya Pal Jain submitted today, that there is no provision or rule under the Act to allow the inspection through an authorised representative, however the petitioner can inspect personally.

Considering the submission, the Court directed the respondents to file reply and listed the matter for July 10, for further consideration 

Munish Bhardwaj, advocate for the petitioner

ASG Satya Pal Jain and Saigeeta Srivasta for Union Govt.

Title: Ram Kumar v. UOI & Ors.