HC quashes CIC order asking AIIMS to disclose PG exam sheets

A division bench of Acting Chief Justice A K Sikri and Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw set aside the Central Information Commission's (CIC) November 12, 2010 order directing All India Institute of Medical Sciences to provide the information to Vikrant Bhuria related to Master of chirurgical PG entrance exam saying it could not be revealed as the plea was not in public interest.

"When we apply the tests aforesaid to the factual scenario as urged by the appellants and noted above, the conclusion is irresistible that it is not in public interest that the information sought be divulged and the information sought is such which on a purposive construction of Section 8 is exempt from disclosure," the bench said.

"We therefore allow this appeal and set aside the orders of the CIC directing the appellant to disclose the information and the order of the learned Single Judge dismissing the writ petition preferred by the appellant," the court said while citing a Supreme Court judgement in which it was held that preservation of confidentiality of sensitive information can not be ignored or sacrificed.

The court was hearing the appeal of AIIMS challenging the single judge's order dismissing the plea in which CIC's order was challenged. MORE