← Library
Madras High CourtWP/32741/2025disposed of

P.Sangaiah v. The Principal Secretary To The Government /

2025-08-26Honourable Mrs.Justice N. Mala5 pages

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 26.08.2025

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MRS. JUSTICE N.MALA P.Sangaiah ... Petitioner Vs.

1. The Principal Secretary to the Government/ The Public Information Officer, Higher Education Department, Government of Tamil Nadu, Secretariat, Chennai - 600 009.

2. The First Appellate Authority/ The Registrar, University of Madras, Chepauk, Chennai - 600 005.

3. The Public Information Officer/ The Assistant Registrar, Madras University, Chennai.

... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandumus, directing the second and third respondents to forthwith furnish the information sought by the petitioner in the RTI application dated 10.07.2025 and the appeal dated 12.08.2025 and consequently direct the first respondent to initiate appropriate proceedings under Section 20 of the RTI Act, 2005 against the erring Public Information Officer for non-compliance of the petitioner's RTI application.

For Petitioner : Mr.M.Elumalai for E.Balamurugan For Respondents : Mr.C.Jayaprakash Government Advocate for R1 : Mr.D.Ravichandar for R2 & R3

ORDER

This Writ Petition is filed for mandamus directing the second and third respondent to forthwith furnish the information sought by the petitioner in the RTI application dated 10.07.2025, and the appeal dated 12.08.2025, and consequently direct the first respondent to initiate appropriate action against the Public Information Officer, for noncompliance of the petitioner's RTI application.

2. The petitioner states that on 10.07.2025, the petitioner had filed an application under Section 6 (1) of the RTI Act, to the respondents. The first respondent transferred the application to the third respondent. The third respondent, despite the lapse of the statutory period of 30 days prescribed under Section 7 (1) of RTI Act, did not furnish the information sought by the petitioner. Therefore, the petitioner filed an appeal under Section 19 (1) of the Act, to the second respondent. However, the second respondent did not furnish the information.

Therefore, the petitioner filed this Writ Petition.

3. When the case is taken up for hearing, the learned counsel for the second and third respondents furnished the copy of the official communication dated 20.08.2025, of the third respondent whereunder the information sought by the petitioner under RTI Act was furnished. In view of the official communication of the third respondent dated 20.08.2025, this Writ Petition is disposed of. However, liberty is granted to the petitioner to approach the first respondent by way of an appeal, to agitate the sufficiency of information and for initiation of action against the erring Public Information Officer. No costs. 26.08.2025 dh Index: Yes/No Internet: Yes/No

To

1. The Principal Secretary to the Government/ The Public Information Officer, Higher Education Department, Government of Tamil Nadu, Secretariat, Chennai - 600 009.

2. The First Appellate Authority/ The Registrar, University of Madras, Chepauk, Chennai - 600 005.

3. The Public Information Officer/ The Assistant Registrar, Madras University, Chennai.

N.MALA. J.

dh 26.08.2025