Case Details

The entity involved is the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) as the regulatory body responding to an RTI appeal. The individual appellant is Anandmohan Sanjivkumar Chaudhary.

  • Order Number: Appeal No. 6874 of 2026
  • Date of Issuance: June 02, 2026
  • Appellate Authority: Ruchi Chojer, Appellate Authority under the RTI Act, SEBI
  • Period of Matter: The original RTI application was dated April 25, 2026, with SEBI's response on May 05, 2026, and the appeal filed on May 10, 2026 (Registration No. SEBIH/A/E/26/00171).
  • Financial Impact: No direct financial impact, penalties, or settlements were imposed in this order. The matter pertains to information disclosure only.

Persons Involved

  • Appellant: Anandmohan Sanjivkumar Chaudhary, an investor seeking information about PACL refund claims.
  • Respondent: CPIO, SEBI, Mumbai - The Central Public Information Officer who provided the initial RTI response.
  • Appellate Authority: Ruchi Chojer, who issued the dismissal order.
  • Committee Reference: Justice (Retd.) R.M. Lodha Committee, chaired by Hon'ble Mr. Justice R.M. Lodha, former Chief Justice of India, which handles PACL property disposal and investor repayment.

Violations and Allegations

No violations or allegations were found against SEBI in this proceeding. The appeal was based on the appellant's claim that he was provided "incomplete, misleading or false information" in response to his RTI application regarding PACL refund status.

Penalties, Settlement Terms & Rulings

  • Ruling: The Appellate Authority dismissed the appeal and found no deficiency in SEBI's response.
  • Legal Precedent: Cited Hon'ble Central Information Commission decision in Sh. Pattipati Rama Murthy vs. CPIO, SEBI (dated July 8, 2013) which held that if SEBI does not have information in its possession, the CPIO cannot invent it for the appellant's benefit.
  • Monetary Impact: No penalties or settlements were ordered.

Actions, Compliance, and Future Obligations

  • Corrective Actions: None required from SEBI as the information sought is not in their possession.
  • Future Obligations: The Authority directed the appellant to approach the Justice Lodha Committee for matters related to PACL property disposal and investor repayment, as this committee is responsible for these functions pursuant to the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India's order dated February 2, 2016.

Final Ruling and Enforcement

  • Final Decision: The appeal was dismissed with no need to interfere with the respondent's decision.
  • Enforcement Actions: None required as the matter was purely informational.
  • Future Conditions: Investors with PACL refund claims must approach the Justice Lodha Committee directly for resolution of land allotment status discrepancies and related grievances.