The Delhi High Court on Friday stayed an order of the Central Information Commission directing the Indian Air Force to provide information about the Special Flight Return (SRF) -II. In response to the information commission's directive, the Indian Air Force had said that it could not share the relevant details, as it was a matter related to the Prime Minister's security.
Justice Naveen Chawla also issued a notice to RTI applicant Commodore (retired) Lokesh Batra and asked him to file his reply in four weeks. The court also tried to ask the Indian Air Force to know how the security would be affected by disclosing the number of passengers on the flight. The court has asked, "What is the problem in giving the number of passengers? You might not give a name. If the number is given, how does it affect the sovereignty of the country? "
The court was hearing a petition filed by the Indian Air Force, which was filed through Rahul Sharma, a lawyer for the central government. On 8 July, the Central Information Commission ordered the Air Force to provide available and relevant copies of Special Flight Returns-II to Batra. Batra has demanded certified copies of SRF-I and SRF-II relating to all foreign visits since April 2013 of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Indian Air Force has claimed in its petition that the CIC has failed to consider that the information sought by Batra cannot be disclosed. The information sought in the petition has been described as extremely sensitive. The Air Force said it also asked the names of Special Protection Group (SPG) personnel who accompany the Prime Minister of India on foreign tours for his safety. At the same time, if these details are disclosed, it can affect the sovereignty and integrity of India and may threaten security, strategy, scientific and economic interests.
During the hearing, counsel for the central government told the court that the IAF had already given details of the flights. However, they cannot provide the second piece of information sought which relates to the details of the passengers. He said that if such information is given, then it will be known that how many people are traveling with the PM in their security system.
He said that the information is highly confidential and it will not benefit the petitioner (Batra) in any way. However, the court said that the petitioner has sought information about the passengers, which may include officials of various ministries, journalists etc.
Appealing for Batra, his lawyer Prasanna S told the court that the CIC had passed the order in July and directed that the information be given within 15 days. However, this has not been done and he was informed only on 7 September that the order was being challenged. He said that the Indian Air Force had pledged to supply this information after which the CIC passed the order. Now the matter will be heard on April 12.
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