New Delhi: The Delhi high court has stayed an order issued by the Central Information Commission directing the Central Board of Direct Taxes to release details related to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust under the Right to Information Act.This Trust was set up by the Union government to construct a Ram Temple where the Babri Masjid used to stand after the Supreme Court’s 2019 decision in the Ayodhya title dispute case.According to Bar and Bench, the CIC had on November 30, 2022 upturned decisions by the chief public information officer, CBDT and appellate authority, CBDT denying information requested by one Kailash Chandra Moondra. The CIC also directed the CBDT to release the trust’s application seeking exemption/deduction under Section 80G(2)(b) of Income Tax Act for its donations.The CBDT’s chief public information officer moved the Delhi high court challenging the CIC’s decision, and Justice Prathiba M. Singh has stayed the move. The CIC, Bar and Bench quoted the judge as saying, had not considered that information on income tax records is exempt from the RTI Act under Section 138 of the Income Tax Act, 1961. The CIC also did not issue notice to the trust, or give reasons for upturning the earlier decision.“In view of the above, the Petitioner i.e. CPIO, CBDT has made out a prima facie case for grant of interim relief, the balance of convenience lies in its favour and irreparable injury would be caused to it if the interim relief is not granted. Accordingly, impugned order dated 30th November, 2022 which is stated to be received by the CPIO, CBDT on 3rd January, 2023 shall remain stayed till the next date of hearing. No coercive steps shall be taken against the CPIO, CBDT pursuant to the same,” the court ordered, according to Bar and Bench.The matter will now be heard on May 23.