"PMO not bound to disclose list of secret Netaji files"

"Disclosure of information relating to list of classified files being held in this office will prejudicially affect relations with foreign countries, writes PMO's Central Public Information Officer Kamal Dayani. "In view of that, there was no obligation for this office to disclose information to this information seeker."

PMO wants the appeal to CIC "be dismissed as not maintainable" because it seeks information protected by Sections 8(1)(a) and (f) of the RTI Act.

In reply, the PMO furnished a list of unclassified files (see below) and stated that "an exercise was underway to review classified files held by PMO for declassification and on declassification such files would be sent to National Archives". There was no word on the classified (secret) files.

Subsequently, Dhar approached the Appellate Authority in the PMO only to be told that the details about classified files cannot be provided.

In his appeal to CIC, Dhar argued that "it defies common sense as to how the disclosure of a mere list of files on and about a national hero, whom the Government holds to have died more than 60 years ago in an accident, can prejudicially affect relations with foreign countries in 2006-2007".

Unclassified (non-sensitive) files relating to Netaji in PMO

2(64)80-PM: Widow and Daughter of Shri Subhas Chandra Bose -- Miscellaneous correspondence with and about.

2(64)/81-PM: Death of Shri Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose -- appointment of an Inquiry Commission to go into the circumstances of death.

2(64)/82-PM: -do-

2(64)/84-PM: -do-

800/6/C/1/90-Pol: Netaji Subhash C Bose.

800/5/C/1/91-Pol(Vol I): Bharat Ratna Award to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose etc.

800/5/C/1/91-Pol(Vol II): Bharat Ratna Award to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose etc.

800/5/C/1/91-Pol(Vol III): Bharat Ratna Award to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose etc.

800/6/C/1/91-Pol: Disappearance of Netaji Subhash C Bose.

915/11/C/6/96-Pol: Disappearance/Death of Sh Netaji Subhash C Bose.

915/11/C/6/96-Pol (Vol III): Disappearance/Death of Sh Netaji Subhash C Bose.