K.K.N. Prasad v. Central Information Commission
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 15.02.2024
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE P.D. AUDIKESAVALU K.K.N.Prasad ... Petitioner -vs1. The Central Information Commission, CIC Bhawan, Baba Ganganath Marg, Munirk, New Delhi - 110 067.
2. The Field Manager, Union Bank (e-Andhra Bank), 2nd Floor, Door No. 47-7-30/2, Mohan Mansion, 4th Lane, Dwarakanagar, Visakhapatnam - 530 016.
3. The Central Public Information Officer-cum-Zonal Manager, Union Bank (e-Andhra Bank), Regional Office, 2nd Floor, Katyayani Complex, Opp. Apollo Hospital, Kakinada - 533 101.
4. The Branch Manager, Union Bank (e-Andhra Bank), Yanam - 533 464.
... Respondents Prayer:- Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, 1950, praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the First Respondent to 1/5
publish the information sought for by the Petitioner vide RTI Letter No. 7868/ 11/RTI/14 dated 05.03.2021.
For Petitioner :
Mr. Sunny Sheen for Ms. V.Srimathi For Respondents :
Mr. S.Girrish for Mr. M.Karthikeyan (for R1) Mr. P.Veeraraghavan (for R2 to R4)
O R D E R
Heard Mr. Sunny Sheen, Learned Counsel appearing for the Petitioner, and Mr. S.Girrish, Learned Counsel for the First Respondent and Mr. P.Veeraraghavan, Learned Counsel for the Second to Fourth Respondents and perused the materials placed on record, apart from the pleadings of the parties.
2.
The grievance ventilated by the Petitioner is that as the Second to Fourth Respondents had not furnished the information sought, he had filed second appeal under Section 19(3) of the Right to Information Act, 2005, which has been taken on file as Second Appeal No. CIC/UBIND/A/2021/123746 before the First Respondent and no orders have been passed thereon till date, it has necessitated the filing of this Writ Petition. 2/5
3.
Learned Counsel appearing for the First Respondent, on instructions, states that the aforesaid second appeal was filed on 24.06.2021 and there was about 1718 second appeals and 211 complaints filed before that date were pending and hence, the matter could not be taken up in the absence of any application showing urgency by the Petitioner earlier. 4.
Having regard to the aforesaid submissions made, the Second Appeal No. CIC/UBIND/A/2021/123746 shall be listed before the First Respondent on 28.03.2024. The Petitioner and the Second to Fourth Respondents shall appear for that hearing without fail. If the First Respondent is not in a position to take up the matter for hearing on that date, it shall inform to all parties concerned of the date of hearing to which it is adjourned in the prescribed manner. It shall be incumbent upon the First Respondent to afford full opportunity of hearing to all parties concerned following the prescribed procedure in consonance with the principles of natural justice, deal with each of the contentions raised and pass reasoned orders on merits and in accordance with law and communicate the decision taken to them under written acknowledgment. In the result, the Writ Petition is disposed on the aforesaid terms. No 3/5
costs.
15.02.2024 Index: Yes/No NCC: Yes/No Note: Issue order copy by 16.02.2024.
vjt To
1. The Central Information Commission, CIC Bhawan, Baba Ganganath Marg, Munirk, New Delhi - 110 067.
2. The Field Manager, Union Bank (e-Andhra Bank), 2nd Floor, Door No. 47-7-30/2, Mohan Mansion, 4th Lane, Dwarakanagar, Visakhapatnam - 530 016.
3. The Central Public Information Officer-cum-Zonal Manager, Union Bank (e-Andhra Bank), Regional Office, 2nd Floor, Katyayani Complex, Opp. Apollo Hospital, Kakinada - 533 101.
4. The Branch Manager, Union Bank (e-Andhra Bank), Yanam - 533 464.
Copy to K.K.N.Prasad, Door No. 7-01-009, Pydikondala Street, Yanam - 633 464.
4/5
P.D. AUDIKESAVALU, J.
vjt 15.02.2024 5/5