R.Arunagiri v. The State Information Commissioner
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 01.06.2023
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI R.Arunagiri ... Petitioner Vs.
1. The State Information Commission, Block No.19, Government Farm Village, Panepet, Nandanam, Chennai - 600 035.
2. The Tamil Nadu Information Commission, The Information Commissioner, No.2, Sir Theagaraya Road, Near Aalai Amman Koil, Teynampet, Chennai - 600 018.
3. The Appellate Officer and Block Development Officer, Chengam Taluk, Tiruvannamalai District.
4. The Public Information Officer and Deputy Block Development Officer, Chengam Taluk, Tiruvannamalai District.
... Respondents
PRAYER : Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to provide information based on the petitioner's petition dated 22.04.2022 within a time frame that may be stipulated by this Court. For Petitioner :
Mr.B.Bharath For Respondents :
Mr.C.Vigneswaran for R1 and R2 Mr.S.Balamurugan Government Advocate for R3 & R4
O R D E R
This Writ Petition has been filed for a direction to provide information based on the petition of the petitioner dated 22.04.2022 submitted by him within a time frame that may be stipulated by this Court.
2. The case of the petitioner is that the petitioner made a representation dated 22.04.2022 to the fourth respondent under Right to Information Act, seeking information regarding the government policies and functions. But the fourth respondent did not furnish the required information sought for by the petitioner. Hence, he approached the third respondent / appellate authority by way of his detailed representation on 30.05.2022 and that was also not considered. Thereafter, the petitioner had
sent his representation dated 11.07.2022 to the second respondent. The second respondent has intimated the first respondent to give suitable reply for his initial representation dated 22.04.2022 in its proceedings dated 01.09.2022. Even after all these efforts, there was no reply on the information requested by him. Thereofore, he approached the first respondent Commission by way of representation dated 17.10.2022 to give suitable reply for his initial representation dated 22.04.2022, but the same has not been cconsidered. Hence, the present Writ Petition has been filed with the aforesaid prayer.
3. Though very many grounds have been raised in the present Writ Petition, it would suffice, if this Court may issues a direction to the first respondent to consider the petitioner's representation dated 22.04.2022 and pass appropriate orders, within a time frame that may be fixed by this Court.
4. The learned counsel appearing for the respondents has no serious objection for such an order being passed by this Court.
5. Heard learned counsel appearing on either side and perused the materials placed before this Court.
6. Considering the limited request made by the learned counsel for the petitioner, this Court, without going into the merits of the matter, directs the first respondent to consider the petitioner's representation dated 22.04.2022 and pass appropriate orders, on merits and in accordance with law within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.
7. With the above directions, this Writ Petition is disposed of. No costs.
01.06.2023 NCC: Yes / No Index : Yes / No Speaking Order : Yes / No vji
To
1. The State Information Commission, Block No.19, Government Farm Village, Panepet, Nandanam, Chennai - 600 035.
2. The Tamil Nadu Information Commission, The Information Commissioner, No.2, Sir Theagaraya Road, Near Aalai Amman Koil, Teynampet, Chennai - 600 018.
3. The Appellate Officer and Block Development Officer, Chengam Taluk, Tiruvannamalai District.
4. The Public Information Officer and Deputy Block Development Officer, Chengam Taluk, Tiruvannamalai District.
M.DHANDAPANI,J.
vji 01.06.2023