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Madras High CourtWP(MD)/16355/2025disposed of

V.Karuppu v. The Commissioner

2025-06-18Honourable Mr Justice S. Sounthar6 pages

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 18.06.2025

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE S.SOUNTHAR V.Karuppu ... Petitioner Vs.

1. The Commissioner, Tamil Nadu State Information Commission, No.2, Theagaranraja Salai, Near Aalai Amman Kovil, Teynampet, Chennai-600 018.

2. The District Revenue Officer, Madurai District, Madurai.

3. The Public Information Officer-cum- Personal Assistants tot he District Collector (Public), Collectorate, Madurai.

4. The Public Information Officer-cum- Assistant Director (Panchayat), Madurai District, Madurai.

... Respondents Prayer :- Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, directing the first respondent to provide information in S.A.No.9615/E/2022 under the RTI Act and consequently direct him to take appropriate actions against the

respondents 2 to 4 in accordance with Sections 20(1), 20(2) and 19(8) of the RTI Act in view of the petitioner's reminder letter dated 24.10.2024 within time stipulated by this Court.

For Petitioner : Mr.V.Karuppu (party-in-person) For Respondents : Mr.A.Baskaran Additional Government Pleader for R2-4 : Mr.Raguvaran Gopalan for R1

ORDER

The petitioner herein seeks a direction to the first respondent to provide information pertain to second appeal pending in S.A.No. 9615/E/2022 under the RTI Act and consequently direct him to take appropriate action against the respondents 2 to 4 in accordance with the provisions of the Right To Information Act, by considering the petitioner's reminder letter dated 24.10.2024

2. Heard the arguments of the petitioner, Mr.V.Karuppu (party-inperson), Mr.Raguvaran Gopalan, learned counsel for the first respondent and Mr.A.Baskaran, learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the respondents 2 to 4.

3. By consent of both sides, this Writ Petition is taken up for final disposal at the admission stage itself.

4. It is seen from the averments found in the affidavit filed in support of the petition, the petitioner herein sought for certain information from the third respondent regarding implementation of three Government Schemes, viz., 1.Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, 2. Free House Patta Scheme and 3. Jal Jeevan Mission in Kottampatti Panchayat Union, Madurai District, Madurai. The third respondent failed to provide the information sought for by the petitioner. Hence, he preferred an appeal on 16.03.2022 before the second respondent. Since the second respondent also failed to pass any order, the petitioner preferred a second appeal before the first respondent on 24.05.2022. The first respondent in his order dated 27.06.2022, directed the third respondent to furnish all the informations within 30 days. Inspite of the said direction, the required information has not been furnished to the petitioner. Therefore, the first respondent initiated proceedings under Sections 20 (1) and 20 (2) of the Right To

Information Act and issued notice to concerned Public Information Officer. The said proceeding is stated to be pending till date. It seems that no further orders are passed by the first respondent, for failure of the third respondent to furnish information. Hence, the petitioner has approached this Court seeking above mentioned direction.

5. The learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the respondents 2 to 4 would submit that the second appeal preferred by the petitioner came up for hearing on 15.05.2025 and the same stands adjourned to 30.06.2025.

6. The learned counsel for the first respondent submits that the appeal preferred by the petitioner will be considered on its own merits and disposed of in accordance with law.

7. In view of the above, without expressing any opinion on the merits of the claim made by the petitioner, the first respondent is directed to consider the second appeal pending on his file in S.A.No.9615/ E/2022 along with reminder letter of the petitioner dated 24.10.2024 and

pass final orders on its own merits within a period of six weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

8. With the above direction, this Writ Petition is disposed of. No costs.

18.06.2025 NCC : Yes/No Index : Yes/No Internet : Yes/No LS To

1. The Commissioner, Tamil Nadu State Information Commission, No.2, Theagaranraja Salai, Near Aalai Amman Kovil, Teynampet, Chennai-600 018.

2. The District Revenue Officer, Madurai District, Madurai.

3. The Public Information Officer-cum- Personal Assistants tot he District Collector (Public), Collectorate, Madurai.

4. The Public Information Officer-cum- Assistant Director (Panchayat), Madurai District, Madurai.

S.SOUNTHAR ,J LS W.P.(MD)No.16355 of 2025 Dated: 18.06.2025