Manjinder Singh v. State Of Punjab And Others

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT

CHANDIGARH CWP-8035-2025 (O&M) Decided on :09.07.2025 MANJINDER SINGH . .petitioner

Versus

STATE OF PUNJAB AND OTHERS . . . Respondents CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE HARSIMRAN SINGH SETHI PRESENT: Mr. R.S. Bains, Senior Advocate with Mr. Anmoldeep Singh,Advocate Mr. I. P. S. Deol, Advocate Mr. Sarabjot Singh Cheema, Advocate for the petitioner (appeared through virtual mode) Mr. Rahul Rampal, Additional Advocate General, Punjab. Mr. Viren Sibal, Advocate for respondent No. 3.

**** HARSIMRAN SINGH SETHI , J. (Oral) 1.

In the present petition, the prayer of the petitioner is that by a single order dated 08.01.2025 (Annexure P-1), all the applications filed by the petitioner for the grant of information has been rejected by the respondents, which is causing prejudice to the petitioner. 2.

Learned Senior counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner submits that the information which was sought by petitioner is in the benefit of general public as the said information is with regard to the fixing of the speed governors installed in the passenger buses and the buses/vehicles which are plying without licenses, all the permits are also sought by petitioner so that the general public does not suffer by the plying of illegal buses/vehicles and that too without fixing the speed governors.

CWP-8035-2025 (O&M) -2 3.

Learned counsel for the respondents submits that the information being asked for is in volumes throughout whole of the State which sometimes become difficult to be provided by the Information Commission.

4.

Learned counsel for the respondents further submits that in case, any special information is sought by petitioner, the same can be granted but keeping in view that a large number of applications have been filed with the commission by the petitioner and there are also some complaints which have come into notice with regard to the conduct of the petitioner, the order has been passed by the Information Commissioner which has been impugned in the present petition.

5.

I have heard learned counsel for the parties and have gone through the case file with their able assistance. 6.

The dispute in hand qua information can be resolved especially when, the information being sought by the applicant is in public interest. Though, the endeavour of the applicant should be to seek specific information which is beneficial for the benefit of the general public or which is to ensure that there is transparency in the working of the executive. 7.

Keeping in view the totality of circumstances, the petitioner is given liberty to file appropriate application seeking information before the Information Commissioner who has passed the impugned order and the Information Commissioner is requested to look into those applications and in case, the information commissioner is of the view that certain information sought can be given to the applicant, such orders be passed directing the appropriate department to provide the same, but in case, the information commissioner is of the view that the information being sought by the applicant is not necessary to be given or cannot be given to the applicant

CWP-8035-2025 (O&M) -3 under the Right to Information Act, 2005, appropriate order giving the detailed reasons for not providing the information sought be passed by the information Commissioner on such applications seeking information moved by the applicants.

It may be noticed that the decision given in impugned order that the petitioner will be debarred from filing an application seeking information for one year, is not in public interest especially when no misconduct on the part of the petitioner has been proved therefore, the said direction will not be given effect to and rest, the above mentioned directions be complied with and in case, any application is filed by the applicant seeking any information and the directions given to ignore such application cannot be sustained and is set-aside.

9.

The present petition is disposed of in above terms. 10.

Pending civil miscellaneous application, if any, stands disposed of.

(HARSIMRAN SINGH SETHI) JUDGE 09.07.2025 Riya Whether speaking/reasoned:

Yes/No Whether Reportable:

Yes/No RIYA 2025.07.15 17:41 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document