cic-upholds-secrecy-on-russia-crude-oil-imports

The Central Information Commission has upheld the denial of detailed data on India’s crude oil imports from Russia, ruling that such information is “commercial and confidential” and its disclosure could harm the country’s strategic and economic interests.

 

The case arose from an RTI application seeking company-wise and country-wise details of crude imports between June 2022 and June 2025, including shipments handled by firms such as IOCL, BPCL, HPCL, ONGC Videsh, Reliance Industries and Nayara Energy.

 

The Central Public Information Officer of the Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell, which functions under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, denied the request, stating: “The information pertaining to country-wise and company-wise details of crude oil import is of commercial and confidential nature and is exempted from disclosure under section 8(1) (d&e) of the RTI Act 2005. However, the total quantity and value of crude oil import (both current and historical) can be downloaded from the PPAC website.” The First Appellate Authority upheld the reply.

 

During the hearing, the appellant contended that the data had not been provided and said he sought to understand how the sector functions.

Also read: US renews sanctions waiver for purchase of Russian oil

In its interim order, the Commission held that disclosure of the requested information “would prejudicially affect the strategic and economic interest of the State and also affect the relations with foreign states,” noting its link to geopolitical considerations. It ruled that the exemption was valid under Sections 8(1)(a) and 8(1)(d) of the RTI Act and said no further relief was warranted.

 

At the same time, the Commission issued a show-cause notice to a PPAC official for failing to attend the hearing despite prior notice, asking why a penalty under Section 20(1) of the RTI Act should not be imposed.

 

It also flagged gaps in transparency, observing that the authority’s RTI section lacked adequate disclosures. Invoking its powers, the Commission directed compliance with Section 4 of the Act and recommended improved suo motu disclosures, including details of organisational functions, officers, documents held and remuneration structures.