Felix Rajam, Wo. Soosai Arul v. The State Information

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 05.07.2019

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE R.SURESH KUMAR W.P.(MD)No.15163 of 2019 Felix Rajam ... Petitioner -Vs1.The State Information Commissioner, Office of the State Information Commissioner, No.379, Kamathenu Palporul Angadi, 1st Floor, Tenampettai, Chennai - 18.

2.The District Revenue Officer/ Appellate Authority (RTI Act) Collectorate Complex, Madurai - 20.

3.The Public Information Officer, Zonal Deputy Tahsildar, Melur Taluk, Melur, Madurai District.

... Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition - filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India, to issue a writ of Mandamus, directing the 1st respondent/State Information Commissioner to dispose the petitioner's second appeal filed under Right to Information Act on 03.04.2019 within a time stipulated by this Court.

For Petitioner : Mr.V.Thirumal For Respondents : Mr.K.K.Senthil, standing counsel

ORDER

The prayer in this writ petition is for a Writ of Mandamus, directing the 1st respondent/State Information Commissioner to dispose the petitioner's second appeal filed under Right to Information Act on 03.04.2019 within a time stipulated by this Court. 2.Heard Mr.V.Thirumal, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and Mr.K.K.Senthi, learned standing counsel appearing for the respondents. 3.With the consent of both sides, this writ petition is disposed of at the admission stage itself.

4.The grievance of the petitioner is that as against the alleged inaction on the part of the respondents 2 and 3 in furnishing the information sought for by the petitioner, the petitioner has filed Second https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/hcservices/

Appeal to the 1st respondent Information Commissioner on 03.04.2019. Therefore, the learned counsel for the petitioner wants the said appeal to be decided by the 1st respondent at an early date. 5.I have heard the learned standing counsel appearing for the respondents, who would submit that, since number of such appeals are pending before the Information Commissioner, as early as possible, the appeal of the petitioner, chronologically, would be taken up and decided on merits.

6.Considering the said submission made by the learned counsel appearing for the 1st respondent, this Court is inclined to dispose of this writ petition with the following direction: "The 1st respondent is hereby directed to consider the appeal filed by the petitioner dated 03.04.2019 and decide the same and pass orders, on merits and in accordance with law, as expeditiously as possible."

7.With this direction, this writ petition is disposed of. No costs. Sd/- Assistant Registrar(Crl.Side) /True Copy/ Sub-Assistant Registrar To 1.The State Information Commissioner, Office of the State Information Commissioner, No.379, Kamathenu Palporul Angadi, 1st Floor, Tenampettai, Chennai - 18.

2.The District Revenue Officer/ Appellate Authority (RTI Act) Collectorate Complex, Madurai - 20.

3.The Public Information Officer, Zonal Deputy Tahsildar, Melur Taluk, Melur, Madurai District.

+One cc to The Special Government Pleader, SR.No.73968 +One cc to Mr.V.Thirumal, Advocate, SR.No.73594 +One cc to Mr.K.K.Senthil, Advocate, SR.No.74036 Arul RL/7C/2P/15/7/2019 Order made in W.P.(MD)No.15163 of 2019 Dated:

05.07.2019 https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/hcservices/