Description
SEBI appellate authority dismisses RTI appeal seeking clarification on filing harassment case, ruling query seeks opinion not information under RTI Act.
Summary
SEBI’s appellate authority dismissed Appeal No. 6469 of 2025 filed by Nitin Goradia against CPIO SEBI Mumbai. The appellant sought information on how to file harassment case against a SEBI OIAE-IGRD employee who allegedly called him 13 times in 2 minutes. The authority ruled that the query sought clarification/opinion rather than ‘information’ as defined under Section 2(f) of the RTI Act.
Key Points
- Appeal filed on July 2, 2025 against CPIO response dated July 2, 2025
- Original RTI application dated June 12, 2025 sought guidance on filing harassment case
- Appellant alleged SEBI OIAE-IGRD employee harassed him with 13 calls in 2 minutes
- Authority cited Azad Singh vs. CPIO, Oriental Insurance Company Limited precedent
- Appellant previously filed 7 similar RTI applications on same subject matter
Regulatory Changes
No regulatory changes introduced. This is an administrative RTI appeal decision.
Compliance Requirements
No new compliance requirements. Reinforces that RTI Act does not require public authorities to provide opinions, clarifications, or create information not already on record.
Important Dates
- June 12, 2025: Original RTI application filed
- July 2, 2025: CPIO response and appeal filed
- July 29, 2025: Appeal dismissed
Impact Assessment
Minimal impact - administrative decision clarifying scope of RTI Act. No effect on market operations, trading, or regulatory framework. Establishes precedent that RTI cannot be used to seek procedural guidance or opinions from SEBI.
Impact Justification
Administrative RTI appeal with no market impact or regulatory changes