Ariyal v. The Registrar,

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED :09.09.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE SENTHILKUMAR RAMAMOORTHY Ariyal ... Petitioner Vs.

1. The Registrar, Tamil Nadu Information Commission, Block No.19, Government Farm Village, Panepet, Nandanam, Chennai 600 035.

2. The 1st Appellate Authority, Cum Tahsildar,, Thirumayam Taluk, Pudukkottai District.

3. The Public Information Officer Cum Deputy Tahsildar of Head Quarter, Thirumayam Taluk, Pudukkottai District.

... Respondents PRAYER : Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, directing the first respondent to expedite the petitioners second appeal dated 23.06.2025 and pass final order within a time stipulated by this Honble Court. For Petitioner :Mr.R.Paranjothi for M/s.KBS Law Office 1/4

For Respondents :Mr.K.Balasubramani Special Government Pleader for R2 & R3 Mr.Ananth C.Rajesh for R1

O R D E R

The relief claimed in the writ petition is for the expeditious disposal of the second appeal filed before the first respondent under the Right to Information Act, 2005.

2. Mr.Ananth C.Rajesh, learned counsel, accepts notice on behalf of the first respondent and Mr.K.Balasubramani, learned Special Government Pleader, accepts notice on behalf of respondents 2 and 3.

3. By pointing out that about 32,000 cases are pending before the first respondent, learned counsel submits that about one year would be required to dispose of the appeal.

4. The petitioner had requested for information from the third respondent. The admitted position is that the request for information did not receive a response. It is incumbent on the Public Information Officer to either provide the information requested for or reject the request on 2/4

one of the grounds specified in the Right to Information Act. Since neither of these courses have been adopted, it is appropriate to direct the third respondent to decide on the request of the petitioner within a reasonable time.

5. Accordingly, this writ petition is disposed of by directing the third respondent to communicate the decision on the request made by the petitioner within four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. No costs.

09.09.2025 NCC :No Internet :Yes Index :No PKN To

1. The Registrar, Tamil Nadu Information Commission, Block No.19, Government Farm Village, Panepet, Nandanam, Chennai 600 035.

2. The 1st Appellate Authority, Cum Tahsildar, Thirumayam Taluk, Pudukkottai District.

3. The Public Information Officer Cum Deputy Tahsildar of Head Quarter, Thirumayam Taluk, Pudukkottai District.

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SENTHILKUMAR RAMAMOORTHY, J.

PKN 09.09.2025 4/4