Md. Hayathuddin v. The Telangana State Information Commission

THE HON'BLE SRI JUSTICE CHALLA KODANDA RAM WRIT PETITION Nos. 19542, 19559 and 20103 of 2019 COMMON ORDER:

Petitioner's grievance is, though the first respondent - Telangana State Information Commission, rep.

by its Commissioner, Hyderabad, passed orders dated 20.03.2019 and 25.03.2019 directing the third respondent to permit him to inspect the relevant records on 02.04.2019 and 15.04.2019 at 11:00 a.m., the respondents have neither offered relevant files for inspection nor furnished required information. In the circumstances, he filed these Writ Petitions.

Initially, a counter-affidavit is filed by the second respondent stating that the information sought by the petitioner with respect to proceedings No.G1/781/2017 as well as Minutes of District Level Land Procurement Committee Meeting would not be furnished to him, as, there was no specific date mentioned by him and that they require specific date to furnish such information.

Subsequently, on 06.01.2020, the second respondent filed a counter-affidavit stating that information relating to the third point was furnished to the petitioner under acknowledgment and that the appellate authority permitted the petitioner to inspect the

CKR, J W.P.Nos.19542, 19559 and 20103 of 2019 file on 15.04.2019, but, on that date, the information which he had sought could not be furnished to him, as, the file was not available. It is also stated that on further verification, it is found that the information sought by the petitioner is in 11 volumes, running into thousands of pages. Hence, it is appropriate for the petitioner to seek required information and if so, copies thereof. However, the answering respondent undertakes to dispose of the appeal within six (6) weeks after issuing notice to the petitioner calling upon him to specify the details of information which he requires.

Having regard to the nature of relief sought by the petitioner, in view of the fact that as of now, the respondents are ready to furnish the information sought by the petitioner albeit they sought six weeks time therefor and considering the fact that the petitioner's application is dated 27.01.2018, this Court feels it appropriate to grant four weeks time to the second and third respondents to allow the petitioner to complete the inspection of files with respect to the information sought by him. Accordingly, these Writ Petitions are disposed of with the direction to the second and third respondents to issue notice to the petitioner specifying the date for inspection, after ensuring that relevant files are kept ready, so as to enable him to inspect

CKR, J W.P.Nos.19542, 19559 and 20103 of 2019 the same. If the petitioner requires copies of any such documents, the respondent authorities shall furnish him the same on payment of costs and in terms of the procedure prescribed under the provisions of the Right to Information Act, 2005. This entire exercise shall be completed within a period of four (4) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. Miscellaneous applications, if any pending, shall also stand disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs. _________________________ CHALLA KODANDA RAM, J 8th JANUARY, 2020.

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