M.Kanagasekar v. The District Collector

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 27.03.2026 CORAM :

THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE ABDUL QUDDHOSE M.Kanagasekar ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The District Collector, Nagapattinam District.

2.The Appellate Authority under RTI Act / District Educational Officer, (Elementary), Nagapattinam.

3.The Public Information Officer & Headmaster, Panchayat Union Middle School, Vellikkidangu, Vedaranyam Taluk, Nagapattinam District.

... Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, directing the 2nd respondent to consider and dispose of the petitioner's first appeal dated 04.12.2025 filed under Section 19(1) of the Right to Information Act, 2005 and consequently direct the 2nd respondent to furnish the complete information sought in the RTI application dated 01.09.2025 in accordance with law, within a time frame to be fixed by this Court.

For Petitioner : Mr.K.Jayaraman For Respondents : Ms.A.Bakkiyalakshmi Government Advocate ***** Page No.1 of 4

ORDER

This Writ Petition has been filed seeking for a limited relief. The petitioner seeks for an early disposal of his appeal, dated 04.12.2025 filed u/s 19(1) of the Right to Information Act, 2005, pending on the file of the 2nd respondent.

2. Ms.A.Bakkiyalakshmi, learned Government Advocate, accepts notice on behalf of the respondents.

3. No prejudice would be caused to the respondents, if a direction is issued to the 2nd respondent to dispose of the petitioner's appeal, dated 04.12.2025 on merits and in accordance with law, within a time frame to be fixed by this Court, by adhering to the principles of natural justice. This Court is not expressing any opinion on the merits of the petitioner's appeal.

4. For the foregoing reasons, this Court directs the 2nd respondent to dispose of the petitioner's appeal, dated 04.12.2025 filed u/s 19(1) of the Right to Information Act, 2005 on merits and in accordance with law, within a period of eight (8) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order, by adhering to the principles of natural justice.

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5. With the aforesaid direction, this Writ Petition is disposed of. No costs.

27.03.2026 Index : Yes / No Speaking order / Non-speaking order sp To 1.The District Collector, Nagapattinam District.

2.The Appellate Authority under RTI Act / District Educational Officer, (Elementary), Nagapattinam.

3.The Public Information Officer & Headmaster, Panchayat Union Middle School, Vellikkidangu, Vedaranyam Taluk, Nagapattinam District.

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ABDUL QUDDHOSE, J.

sp W.P.No.

9956 o f 2026 27.03.2026 Page No.4 of 4