No reason to disclose info on sexual harassment accused: CIC

New Delhi, Jan 12: The Central Information Commission has upheld CISF's decision that identity of security force personnel facing sexual harassment and corruption charges cannot be made public, saying the disclosure may cause unwarranted invasion of the privacy of an individual.

The CIC gave its view following an appeal against Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) seeking details of name and designation of the central police force men facing such charges.

"The Commission sees no reason to disagree with the decision of the Respondent (Central Public Information Officer of the CISF) that the name of the officer, with designation, against whom case has been registered or is being investigated cannot be disclosed since disclosure of such information may cause unwarranted invasion of the privacy of an individual and no larger public interest would be served," Information Commissioner Sushma Singh said in an order.

In its reply to an RTI query filed by PTI, the CISF had said that 261 cases of corruption and sexual harassment were registered against its personnel between 2001 and 2010 but refused to give information including their names, designation, details of the case and action taken report.

Of the 261 cases, 223 were related to corruption and 38 to sexual harassment, the reply said adding that no case of human rights violation was reported in the past ten years.

Aggrieved over the replies of both the CPIO and First Appellate Authority of the CISF, the appellant had moved CIC, which upheld their decisions. The 1.45 lakh strong CRPF is responsible for guarding country's major government installations including airports, nuclear and space facilities.

PTI