Court asks Rajiv Gandhi Foundation to present accounts
The Delhi High Court Wednesday directed the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation (RGF) to place on record its annual audited accounts to decide whether it comes under the ambit of the Right to Information law.
The court's direction came on an appeal of advocate Shanmuga Patro challenging the Dec 9, 2010, order of the chief information commissioner dismissing his plea. He had sought a copy of the constitution of the foundation which works for the underprivileged.
The RGF was asked by Justice Rajiv Shakdher to file its accounts from its inception till 2010-11 by Nov 21, the next date of hearing.
"File the annual audited accounts right from inception till the year 2010-11 along with a tabular statement indicating year-wise overall income of the foundation and the component thereof received from the central as well as state governments or the instrumentalities thereof," said Justice Shakdher.
The CIC rejected Patro's plea saying that the foundation was not a public authority and the information sought by him could not be provided.
The petitioner alleged that the foundation had been receiving funds from the government and was engaged in public activities by virtue of which it assumed the character of a public authority.
The petitioner had filed an application seeking "a copy of the constitution of the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, a copy of the bye-laws and rules and regulation of the foundation and a copy of the documents showing organisational structure of the foundation".
The RGF in 2009 refused to provide the details on the grounds that it was not a public authority.
