Justice Nooty Rama Mohan Rao of Hyderabad High Court stayed operation of the order of A.P. Information Commission which had directed the High Court and to inform the applicant details of nativity of the employees working in the High Court under Right to Information Act.
The Judge was on Wednesday dealing with an appeal filed by Registrar (Vigilance) of High Court challenging the orders passed by the A.P. Information Commission. Mr. Purshotham Reddy, president, High Court Telangana Employees Association, who is also Assistant Registrar of the High Court, sought the list of the employees in the High Court with designation and nativity, list of the district judges, senior civil Judges, junior civil Judges, working under the jurisdiction of this High Court . The number of sanctioned posts in each category of the employees and the subordinate judiciary were also sought for.
The Registrar (Judicial) who is the public information officer refused to give information as it pertains to personal information of third parties. Mr. Reddy filed appeal before the Registrar (General) of the High court. The Registrar (General), who is the first appellate authority, directed the PIO to furnish the information. The PIO, who is also the Registrar (judicial), sought opinion of the Chief Justice and after that he expressed disinclination to part with the information.
Against this, the second appeal has been filed and the A.P. Information Commission directed the Registrar (Judicial) Hyderabad High court to furnish information within 10 days. This was challenged in the High court and Justice Rao expressed dismay at the tendency to provide information regarding personal matters. The judge reminded that an employee will be providing the employer various aspects of family etc. This is between the employee and the employer and the third person cannot ask for it. The judge suspended the operation of the A.P. Information Commission and ordered notices.
