The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI), through its First Appellate Authority, has disposed of two RTI appeals concerning information relating to the functioning, regulatory framework, compliance and supervisory matters of National E-Governance Services Limited (NeSL).
The order was passed on 18 September 2026 under Section 19 of the Right to Information Act, 2005, in RTI Appeal Registration Nos. ISBBI/A/E/26/00037 and ISBBI/A/E/26/00038, filed by S. Giri against the response of the CPIO, IBBI.
The information sought included records concerning NeSL's corporate status, user registration and authentication procedures, digital stamping services, regulatory exemptions or forbearance, compliance certifications, inspections, investigations, show-cause notices and enforcement actions. The second appeal concerned information relating to NeSL's Business Continuity Plan for Digital Document Execution and Electronic Bank Guarantee services.
The CPIO had stated that certain information was available through the statutory framework published on the IBBI website, while other information was exempt from disclosure under Sections 8(1)(d) and 8(1)(e) of the RTI Act, 2005.
IBBI's Findings
The First Appellate Authority noted that the information sought related to the regulatory framework governing NeSL under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016, the IBBI (Information Utilities) Regulations, 2017, and the relevant technical standards guidelines. Since the applicable regulatory documents were already available in the public domain, the CPIO was not required to interpret the provisions, provide explanations, or address underlying grievances through the RTI mechanism.
The Authority further observed that information furnished by NeSL to IBBI was received in the course of the Board's supervisory and regulatory relationship with NeSL. Considering the statutory framework governing NeSL, the Authority found a fiduciary aspect in the relationship between IBBI and NeSL.
As no larger public interest was demonstrated to outweigh the exemption, the information was held exempt from disclosure under Section 8(1)(e) of the RTI Act, 2005. The Authority therefore found no reason to interfere with the CPIO's response. CASansaar
Order
The First Appellate Authority disposed of both RTI appeals, while upholding the CPIO's response.
Authority: Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI)
Order Date: 18 September 2026
RTI Appeal Nos.: ISBBI/A/E/26/00037 & ISBBI/A/E/26/00038
Appellant: S. Giri
Relevant Provision: Section 8(1)(e), Right to Information Act, 2005