Sonali Begam Sekh v. District Magistrate/Officer In Charge Rti And Spio Nadia Collectorate And ORS

S/L 2 27.09.2022 Court. No. 19 GB W.P.A. 20872 of 2022 Sonali Begam Sekh VS The District Magistrate/Officer-in-Charge, RTI & SPIO, Nadia Collectorate & Ors.

Mr. B.P. Mondal, Mr. Sukanta Mondal.

... for the Petitioner.

Mr. Jahar Lal De, Mr. Shamim Ul Bari.

... for the State.

Mr. Shamit Sanyal.

... for the Intervenor.

The grievance of the petitioner is that the queries made under the Right to Information Act, as to whether any auction of Nawab Siraj-Ud-Daulah Palace, PWD Guest House under Kaliganj block had been held or not, had not been answered.

Mr. De, learned Additional Government Pleader submits that the answer to the query was supplied on May 13, 2022. The petitioner was informed that there was no establishment in the name of Nawab Siraj-Ud-Daulah Palace, PWD Guest House under Kaliganj block. Mr. De submits a bunch of papers, from which it appears that the auction for lease of a guest house by the name of 'Palasey Monument Cottage' had been held. The advertisement was published in a local newspaper and time to file the bid was upto July 8, 2022. The documents filed by the State, are taken on record.

It appears that no establishment under the name of Nawab Siraj-Ud-Daulah Palace, PWD Guest House exists. The property is known as Palasey Monument Cottage, which

was constructed by the Nadia Zilla Parishad and funded by the Tourism Department. It also appears that the petitioner did not participate in the bid for lease of the guest house at any time. The Kaliganj panchayat samiti published the notification on June 14, 2022 and invited applications for grant of lease of five cottages and one dormitory under the name of Palasey Monument Cottage. The notification was also published in a local vernacular newspaper. Be that at it may, as the petitioner had made some queries, the petitioner is entitled to proper answers. The petitioner's queries were incorrect. Hence, the petitioner is granted liberty to apply afresh under the Right to Information Act, before the appropriate authority. If such application is filed, proper answers shall be given in accordance with law.

The learned advocate for the successful bidders seeks leave to intervene in the writ petition. As no orders are being passed adverse to his client's interest, his prayer to add the successful bidder in this proceeding, is not allowed. The submissions of the learned advocate is considered, but not found relevant at this stage.

Accordingly, the writ petition is disposed of. However, there will be no order as to costs.

All the parties are directed to act on the server copy of this order.

(Shampa Sarkar, J.)