Description

Appellate Authority order dismissing RTI appeal filed by Syed Abdul Rahman against CPIO SEBI Mumbai regarding information requests related to employment records and data loss at Equiscan.

Summary

SEBI’s Appellate Authority dismissed Appeal No. 6556 of 2025 filed by Syed Abdul Rahman challenging the CPIO’s response to his RTI application dated August 16, 2025. The appellant sought information regarding employment records of Mr. Srikanth and data loss at Equiscan. The Authority upheld the CPIO’s position that the requested information is not maintained by SEBI in the normal course of regulation and therefore not available.

Key Points

  • RTI application filed by Syed Abdul Rahman on August 16, 2025 through RTI MIS Portal
  • CPIO responded on September 12, 2025 stating requested information not available with SEBI
  • Appeal filed on September 13, 2025 (Reg. No. SEBIH/A/E/25/00242) claiming incomplete/misleading information
  • Queries 1, 5 and 7 sought employment confirmation documents for Mr. Srikanth, information about mobile/data loss at Equiscan, and investor impact data
  • CPIO stated information not maintained by SEBI in normal course of securities market regulation
  • Authority cited Supreme Court judgment in Central Board of Secondary Education vs. Aditya Bandopadhyay (2011) establishing RTI Act provides access only to existing information
  • Authority also cited CIC decision in Pattipati Rama Murthy vs. CPIO SEBI (2013) confirming CPIO cannot provide non-existent information

Regulatory Changes

No regulatory changes introduced. This is an administrative appellate order under the RTI Act clarifying the scope of information disclosure obligations.

Compliance Requirements

No compliance requirements. This order pertains to RTI Act procedures and does not impose obligations on market participants.

Important Dates

  • August 16, 2025: RTI application filed by appellant
  • September 12, 2025: CPIO response provided
  • September 13, 2025: Appeal filed
  • October 9, 2025: Appellate Authority order issued

Impact Assessment

No market or operational impact. This is a procedural RTI matter with no implications for securities market regulation, trading operations, or compliance requirements. The order reinforces established principles that public authorities can only provide information that exists in their records and are not required to create or collate information not maintained in the normal course of business.

Impact Justification

Administrative RTI appeal order with no market impact or regulatory changes. Relates to information availability under RTI Act regarding employment records and data loss queries.