The Information Commission of Himachal Pradesh has directed the Public Information Officer (PIO) to disclose the information on the Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s daughter Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s land deal in Shimla, which is sought under the Right to Information Act.

After hearing the appeal of RTI activist Devashish Bhatacharya, the Information Commission directed the Public Information Officer to provide the information in 10 days’ time.

“He (Devashish) wanted details of the properties that have been bought by Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in the past few years. They had given an RTI application, which had been allowed by the ADM, Shimla, but had been set aside by the DC Shimla and said that the information cannot be provided,” said K.D. Batish, Information Commissioner, Himachal Pradesh.

“Against that, Devashish had approached the Commission. After listening to both the parties, we decided that this information is in the public interest and the information regarding the properties should be provided within 10 days,” he added.

 “The decision has been given by the learned State Commission. So, we will see whether we have to prefer an appeal or writ petition against the said order or not. So, I will be able to tell you any further information after I have the discussion with my client,” Priyanka Gandhi’s advocate Gautam Sood said.

A notice in this regard has been issued to the DC of Shimla and the ADM asking why they should not be penalized as they tried to obstruct the information. The next date for hearing has been set as July 23.

Priyanka  Vadra, 43, has previously written to the state government through her lawyers, that the information should be kept confidential due to security reasons.

"Himachal Pradesh is a small state and if VVIPs keep buying land and misuse it, then there will be no land left," said Mr Bhattacharya, while explaining his motive for the RTI that he filed.

The State Information Commission has said that under the RTI, details like whether she bought two pieces of land - one in 2007 and another in 2012 – has to be confirmed, along with how much she had paid.

By Premji