K. Arumugaperumal v. The Tamil Nadu State Information Commission

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 10.03.2025

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE P.B. BALAJI K.Arumugaperumal ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The Tamil Nadu State Information Commission, No.2, Theagaraya Salai, Near Aalai Amman Koil, Teynampet, Chennai - 600 018 2.The District Collector, Office of the District Collector, Thoothukudi Thoothukudi District.

3. The Deputy Tahsildar / Public Information Officer Ettaiyapuram (Taluk), Thoothukudi (District) ... Respondents PRAYER: Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the 1st respondent to initiate Appropriate Penalties and Disciplinary action against the 3rd respondent under sections 20(1) and 20(2) of the right to information act 2005 for failing to comply with the order of vide his proceedings SA4773/B/2022 dated 14.11.202 within the stipulated time based on the representation dated 08.11.2024.

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For Petitioner : Mr.V.Selvakumar For Respondents :Mr.Raguvaran Gopalan, Standing Counsel for R1 Mr.B.Saravanan Additional Government Pleader for R2 & R3

ORDER

This Petition has been filed to direct the first respondent to initiate appropriate penalties and disciplinary action against the third respondent.

2. I have heard Mr.V.Selvakumar, the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner,Mr.Raguvaran Gopalan, learned Standing Counsel, appearing for the first respondent and Mr.B.Saravanan, learned Additional Government Pleader, learned counsel appearing for the respondents 2 and 3.

3. Though the writ petition has been filed to direct the first respondent to initiate penal action against the third respondent, the learned counsel for the petitioner fairly submitted that the petitioner would be satisfied, if the information that has been sought for is provided.

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4. The learned Additional Government Pleader would submit that the information sought for by the petitioner runs to more than 3400 pages and the petitioner has already been intimated that the petitioner can visit the office concern and take the relevant information that he has thought for. He would further submit that some of the information is not available in the office of the 3rd respondent.

5. Be that as it may, considering the fact that the petitioner is now satisfied with the information sought for originally, being furnished, the 3rd respondent shall provide copies of the information sought for and available with the 3rd respondent, at the costs of the petitioner. In so far as the information that is not available with the 3rd respondent, the 3rd respondent shall issue a separate certificate to that effect to enable the petitioner to workout his further avenues regarding the same. The said exercise shall be completed within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. The petitioner shall remit a sum of Rs.4,000/- (Rupees Four Thousand only) towards copy charges, within a period of two weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order and 3/5

thereafter, the said information along with the certificate if any information can be provided for want of availability of records shall also be provided.

6. With the above direction, this Writ Petition is disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs.

Index :

Yes / No NCC : Yes / No 10.03.2025 LS To

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

2. The District Collector, Office of the District Collector, Thoothukudi Thoothukudi District.

3.The Deputy Tahsildar / Public Information Officer Ettaiyapuram (Taluk) Thoothukudi (District) 4/5

P.B. BALAJI , J.

LS Order made in Dated:

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