Delhi HC overturns directive to reveal Ram Temple trust tax information

The request was initially denied by the CBDT’s central public information officer (CPIO), a decision upheld by the appellate authority within the CBDT, leading Moondra to file a second appeal with the CIC.

The CIC’s decision to reverse the earlier denials and direct the CPIO to furnish the requested information was the subject of the CBDT’s legal challenge.

In its defence, the CBDT cited section 138(1)(b) of the Income Tax Act, which protects the confidentiality of assessee information, arguing that such details cannot be disclosed under the RTI Act.

The board’s argument was supported by a recent high court judgement regarding the non-disclosure of information about the PM Cares Fund’s tax exemptions under the RTI Act, reinforcing the limited jurisdiction of the CIC in matters protected by specific provisions of the Income Tax Act.