Make public Babri Masjid-Ram Janmabhoomi report: CIC to ASI

New Delhi, Feb 29: The Central Information Commission on Wednesday directed the Archaeological Survey of India to make public its detailed report on the Babri Masjid-Ram Janmabhoomi site in Ayodhya.

However, Chief Information Commissioner Satyananda Mishra said, in case, the disclosure has been prohibited by the High Court through its order, the copy of that directive must be provided to activist Subhash Agrawal.

The ASI is understood to have carried out the survey of the disputed site on the directions of the Allahabad High Court which was hearing the matter. Through his RTI application Agrawal had sought the copy of the report submitted by the ASI.

The ASI refused to give the document, saying the report was meant exclusively for the High Court. When the matter reached before the transparency panel, ASI reiterated its stand. Agrawal argued that if the High Court had prohibited the disclosure of report, that order should be provided to him.

"We think that this is a very fair request and the CPIO should provide a copy of the relevant extract from the order of the High Court in which the ASI had been instructed to present the repot only to the High Court and not to disclose it to anyone else...In case, there is no such express direction from the High court, the copy of the said report should be provided to the appellant," Mishra said.

PTI