Bimla Bhardwaj v. Delhi Jal Board

$~105 * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI + W.P.(C) 930/2026 BIMLA BHARDWAJ .....Petitioner Through:

Mr Sandeep Bhardwaj, Mr. Abhishek Sharma, Sh. Rajat Gaur, Ms Ritu Bhardwaj, Sh Vishal Sharma, Sh Ujjwal Pratiyush Advocates.

versus DELHI JAL BOARD .....Respondent Through:

Mr. Tushar Sannu, Standing Counsel with Ms. Ishika Jain, Advocate.

CORAM:

HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE PURUSHAINDRA KUMAR KAURAV

O R D E R

% 22.01.2026 1.

The petitioner's sole grievance is with respect to non-compliance of the Central Information Commission (CIC) order dated 30.12.2022. 2.

It appears that the petitioner has approached the CIC on multiple occasions. Even the communication dated 22.02.2023 of the CIC to the PIO of Delhi Jal Board indicates that the complete information was directed to be furnished, failing which the action under Section 20 of the Right to Information Act, 2005 (RTI Act, 2005) was contemplated. The letter dated 22.02.2023 of the CIC is extracted as under:- "Subject: Non-Compliance of Central Information Commission's Order Sir, The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 27/01/2026 at 12:38:39

The Commission has received Complaint vide Diary No.108153 dated 16-02-2023 (Letter dated 12-02-2023) from Smt. Bimla Bhardwaj regarding unsatisfied CPIO's revised reply in compliance or Noncompliance of CIC's orders dated 30-12-2022 in Appeal No. CIC/DELJB/2022/127534 (Copy enclosed).

It is further requested that details of Written Submission on the aforesaid within ten days may please be forwarded to the Commission at the above mentioned address with ten days. A copy of the same also with sent to the appellant as well.

Take further notice that if you fails to furnish the reply/ submissions with in the stipulated dated and time, it will be presumed that you have nothing to say/ submit in your defence and the matter will be considered and decided according to Section 20 of the RTI Act, 2005. Treat this AS URGENT & TIME-BOUND"

3.

It is, thus, seen that the CIC is fully empowered under Section 18 of the RTI Act, 2005 to direct furnishing of the complete information or to deal with the grievance of non-compliance of its own directions. The CIC in proper cases can also invoke Section 20 of the RTI Act, 2005. The grievance of the petitioner, however, remained pending for almost more than three years.

4.

Under these circumstances, the Court directs the CIC to take up the petitioner's application and to pass necessary directions with due expedition within a period of three months from the date of receipt of copy of the order passed today.

5.

With the aforesaid observations, the instant petition stands disposed of along with all pending application(s).

PURUSHAINDRA KUMAR KAURAV, J JANUARY 22, 2026 Nc/ ksr The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 27/01/2026 at 12:38:39