Ashok Ku.Das v. Odisha Information

IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK

W.P.(C) No. 10102 of 2012 Ashok Kumar Das ....

Petitioner Mr. S.J. Pradhan, Advocate -versusOdisha Information Commission, Bhubaneswar and Others ...

Opposite Parties Mr. B.K. Dash, Advocate

CORAM:

THE CHIEF JUSTICE JUSTICE R.K. PATTANAIK

ORDER

03.08.2022 Order No.

03.

1. The present petition has been filed questioning an order dated 10th February, 2012 passed by the State Information Commission in S.A. No.37 of 2012 imposing a penalty of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty-five Thousand) on the present Petitioner for a delay of nine months in furnishing information under the Right to Information Act (RTI Act).

2. The Petitioner was working as Junior Clerk in the Office of the Tahasildar, Bhubaneswar at the relevant time. While Rs.25,000/- may have been a substantial sum in 2012, considering the pay increases since then, it can no longer be viewed as an unreasonable penalty. In any event, the Petitioner has had the benefit of stay of the impugned order since 7th June, 2012.

3. Having heard learned counsel for the parties, the Court is not inclined to interfere. Accordingly, the writ petition is dismissed. The interim order dated 7th June, 2012 stands vacated. (Dr. S. Muralidhar) Chief Justice (R.K. Pattanaik) Judge S.K. Jena/Secy.