Primary sources · Order
Appeal No. 7061 of 2026 filed by Bindu Mahesh Agrawal
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Appeal No. 7061 of 2026
BEFORE THE APPELLATE AUTHORITY
(Under the Right to Information Act, 2005)
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE BOARD OF INDIA
Appeal No. 7061 of 2026
Bindu Mahesh Agrawal : Appellant
Vs
CPIO, SEBI, Mumbai : Respondent
ORDER
The appellant had filed an application dated August 06, 2026 received by SEBI through RTI MIS portal) under the Right to Information Act, 2005 (“RTI Act”). The respondent, by a letter dated August 24, 2026 responded to the application filed by the appellant. The appellant filed an appeal dated August 25, 2026 (Reg. No. SEBIH/A/E/26/00326). I have perused the application, the response of the respondent and the appeal and find that the matter can be decided based on the material available on record.
Queries in the application- The appellant, in her application, sought the following information regarding PACL investment and refund claim status: “ 1 Please confirm whether my investments under Registration Numbers U126104xxx and U12616xxx are recorded in the PACL database 2 Please provide the current status of my investments and whether they are eligible for a refund 3 Please inform whether any future claim window or fresh opportunity will be provided for investors who could not submit their refund applications during the period from 08 February 2019 to 31 July 2019 4 If such a claim process is proposed kindly provide the expected timeline and procedure 5 Please provide any other information circular notification or instructions applicable to my investments.”
Appeal No. 7061 of 2026
Reply of the Respondent – The respondent, in response to the application, informed that the information sought is not available with SEBI. The respondent also stated that all communication regarding refund status is handled by the Justice (Retd.) R.M. Lodha Committee. The respondent also advised the appellant to approach the aforementioned Committee. Further, the details of PACL Matters – Public Notices, Press Releases, Status Report, and FAQs etc. are available on SEBI website.
Ground of appeal – The appellant has filed the appeal on the ground that she was provided incomplete, misleading or false information.
I have perused the application and the response provided thereto. The respondent, in his response, has categorically mentioned that the requested information is not available with SEBI. In this context, I note that the Hon’ble Central Information Commission (CIC) in the matter of Sh. Pattipati Rama Murthy vs. CPIO, SEBI (Decision dated July 8, 2013), held: “… if it (SEBI) does not have any such information in its possession, the CPIO cannot obviously invent one for the benefit of the Appellant. There is simply no information to be given.” Accordingly, I do not find any deficiency in the response of the respondent.
Notwithstanding the above, I note that the responsibility of disposal of the properties and repayment to investors, is entrusted with the Justice (Retd.) R. M. Lodha Committee (under the Chairmanship of Hon’ble Mr. Justice R.M. Lodha, former Chief Justice of India), which has been constituted, pursuant to the order dated February 2, 2016 of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India. The respondent also advised the appellant to approach the aforementioned Committee. I also note that the respondent has provided the links for accessing Status Reports, FAQs, Press Releases and Public Notices pertaining to the matter of PACL Ltd., which are already available in the public domain. The appellant may be guided accordingly.
In view of the above observations, I find that there is no need to interfere with the decision of the respondent. The appeal is accordingly dismissed.
Place: Mumbai RUCHI CHOJER
Date: September 17, 2026 APPELLATE AUTHORITY UNDER THE RTI ACT
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE BOARD OF INDIA