From the order of CIC: - Disclosure of income tax return of political parties filed with the public authorities under RTI Act, 2005

CENTRAL INFORMATION COMMISSION

‘B’ Wing, August Kranti Bhawan

Bhikaji Cama Place

New Delhi-110 066

Dated, the 29th April, 2008.   

   Appellant           :       Ms. Anumeha, C/o Association for Democratic Reforms,

                                       B1/6, Hauz Khas, New Delhi-110 048.

   Respondents      :      (i) Chief Commissioner of Income Tax-XI, New Delhi;

                                      (ii) Chief Commissioner of Income Tax-IX, Mumbai;

                                      (iii) Chief Commissioner of Income Tax-X, Mumbai;

                                      (iv) Chief Commissioner of Income Tax-III, Hyderabad;

                                      (v) Chief Commissioner of Income Tax-IV, Chennai;

                                      (vi) Chief Commissioner of Income Tax-NWR, Chandigarh;

                                      (vii) Chief Commissioner of Income Tax-V, Chennai;

                                      (viii) Chief Commissioner of Income Tax, Bhubaneswar;

                                      (ix) Commissioner of Income Tax (ITA), CBDT

Order of the CIC:

50. “The Commission directs that the public authorities holding such information shall, within a period of six weeks of this order, provide the following information to the appellant:-

Income Tax Returns of the political parties filed with the public authorities and the Assessment Orders for the period mentioned by the appellant in her RTI-application dated 28.02.2007.

The Commission also directs that the PAN of those political parties whose Income Tax Returns are divulged to the applicant shall not be disclosed. It has been decided not to disclose PAN in view of the fact that there is a possibility that this disclosure could be subjected to fraudulent use, reports of which have lately been appearing. It is, therefore, considered practical that while Income Tax Returns and the Assessment Orders pertaining to political parties be disclosed, there should be no disclosure of the PANs of such parties”.

51. Appeal allowed