Muthammal v. The Central Information
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 11.07.2025
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE MRs. JUSTICE N.MALA Muthammal .. petitioner vs
1. The Central Information Commissioner Baba Ganga Nath Marg Munikra, New Delhi - 110067.
2.Additional Divisional Railway Manager, (Appellate Authority) South Western Railway Bangalore Division Bangalore - 560 023.
3.Assistant Personal Officer/ Public Information Officer South Western Railway Bangalore Division Bangalore - 560 023.
4.The Senior Divisional Finance Manager South Western Railway Bangalore Division Bangalore - 560 023.
... Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus to direct the first respondent to dispose 1/5
of the petitioner's second appeal filed under Section 19(3) of the RTI Act dated 29.06.2024 expeditiously.
For Petitioner : Mr.CKM.Appaji For Respondents : Dr.S.Padma, SPC for R2 to R4.
O R D E R
This writ petition has been filed to direct the first respondent to dispose of the petitioner's second appeal filed under Section 19(3) of the RTI Act dated 29.06.2024 expeditiously.
2. The petitioner is the Senior Citizen aged about 74 years. The petitioner's husband Mr.P.Murugesan, served as Keyman, Dharmapuri, south Western Railway, Bangalore Division and retired from service on 30.11.2012. The petitioner was deserted by her husband long back and out of the wedlock one son/Selvaraj and one handicapped daughter/Vijaya were born to them. The petitioner filed OS.No.197 of 1992 on the file of the Sub Court, Sankagiri, seeking for maintenance of Rs.500/- and annual maintenance Rs.1500/-. Thereafter, she filed REP.No.9 of 2015 on the file of the Family Court, Salem, to attach the pension of the petitioner's husband and to direct the 4th respondent, herein to recover the maintenance amount from the monthly pension.
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3. On 29.03.2024, the petitioner preferred RTI application under section 6 of the RTI Act before the 3rd respondent to furnish certain particulars. In turn, the 3rd respondent on 18.04.2024 issued reply to the petitioner. As against the said reply dated 18.04.2024, the petitioner preferred first appeal before the 2nd respondent on 09.05.2024, under Section 19(1) of RTI Act. Subsequently, on 29.06.2024, the petitioner filed second appeal before the first respondent under Section 19(3) of the RTI Act. Till date, the second appeal is kept pending. Hence, the petitioner filed the present writ petition.
4. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Standing Panel Counsel for respondents 2 to 4. With consent of both parties, this writ petition is taken up for final disposal.
5. In view of the above facts and circumstances and in view of the fact that the second appeal is pending before the first respondent from 29.06.2024. I am inclined to direct the first respondent to dispose of the petitioner's second appeal dated 29.06.2025, on merits and in accordance with law, within a period of eight weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.
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6. With the above direction, this writ petition is disposed of. No costs. 11.07.2025 Speaking order / Non-speaking order Index : Yes / No : Yes / No tsh To
1. The Central Information Commissioner Baba Ganga Nath Marg Munikra, New Delhi - 110067.
2.Additional Divisional Railway Manager, (Appellate Authority) South Western Railway Bangalore Division Bangalore - 560 023.
3.Assistant Personal Officer/ Public Information Officer South Western Railway Bangalore Division Bangalore - 560 023.
4.The Senior Divisional Finance Manager South Western Railway Bangalore Division Bangalore - 560 023.
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N. MALA , J.
tsh 11.07.2025 5/5