Description
SEBI Appellate Authority dismisses RTI appeal seeking 1994-95 listing agreement between BSE and Monsanto India Limited, as requested information not available with SEBI.
Summary
The SEBI Appellate Authority dismissed Appeal No. 6544 of 2025 filed by Rachit Agrawal seeking certified copy of the listing agreement between Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and Monsanto India Limited for the period January 1, 1994 to December 31, 1995. The appeal was dismissed as the requested information is not maintained by SEBI in normal course of regulation and SEBI is not obligated to obtain information from exchanges solely for RTI purposes.
Key Points
- Appellant filed RTI application on August 11, 2025 seeking listing agreement between BSE and Monsanto India Limited for 1994-95 period
- SEBI CPIO responded on September 04, 2025 stating information not maintained by SEBI in normal course
- Appellant filed appeal (Reg. No. SEBIH/A/E/25/00233) on September 04, 2025
- Appellate Authority relied on Supreme Court judgment in CBSE vs. Aditya Bandopadhyay (2011) which held RTI Act provides access only to existing information
- SEBI not required to collect or collate non-available information from exchanges for RTI purposes
- Appeal dismissed with no deficiency found in CPIO’s response
Regulatory Changes
No regulatory changes introduced by this order.
Compliance Requirements
No new compliance requirements. Order reaffirms that public authorities under RTI Act need only provide information available in their records and are not obligated to obtain information from third parties.
Important Dates
- August 11, 2025: RTI application filed
- September 04, 2025: CPIO response provided
- September 04, 2025: Appeal filed
- October 03, 2025: Appellate Authority order
Impact Assessment
This is an administrative order with no market impact. It clarifies the scope of SEBI’s obligations under RTI Act, confirming that SEBI is not required to obtain historical documents from stock exchanges solely for responding to RTI applications. The order has no impact on trading, listing procedures, or compliance requirements for market participants.
Impact Justification
Administrative RTI appeal dismissed on procedural grounds; no market impact or regulatory changes