R.Dharmaraj v. The State Chief Information Commissioner

ORDER This Writ Petition has been filed to direct the respondents 1 to 3 to consider the petitioner's representation dated 06.12.2025 and initiate proceedings u/s 20(1) of the Right to Information Act against the respondents 4 and 5.

¶2Mr.C.Vigneswaran, learned Standing Counsel, accepts notice on behalf of the 1st respondent and Mr.N.Naveen Kumar, learned Government Advocate, accepts notice on behalf of the respondents 2 and

¶3Since no adverse orders are passed against the respondents 4 and 5 in this writ petition, notice to the respondents 4 and 5 is dispensed with by this Court. Page No.2 of 6

¶3In the representation, dated 06.12.2025, several petitions are referred to which is said to have been given by the petitioner under the Right to Information Act. No details have been given by the petitioner in the representation, dated 06.12.2025 with regard to petitions submitted by the petitioner under the Right to Information Act. This was pointed out by the learned Standing Counsel appearing for the 1st respondent. The learned counsel for the petitioner would now submit that petitioner is willing to give a fresh representation giving full particulars about the petitions submitted by the petitioner under the Right to Information Act.

¶4No prejudice would be caused to the respondents, if a direction is issued to the petitioner to submit a fresh representation to the official respondents seeking for the prayer that is sought for in this writ petition, by giving full particulars about the petitions submitted by the petitioner under the Right to Information Act, which is the subject matter of this writ petition and a direction is issued to the 1st respondent to consider the said representation on merits and in accordance with law, within a time frame to be fixed by this Court. Page No.3 of 6

¶5The learned Standing Counsel appearing for the 1st respondent would submit that the representation of the petitioner is not maintainable, since there are alternate remedies available under the Right to Information Act.

¶6This Court is not expressing any opinion on the merits of the respective contentions at this stage.

¶7Accordingly, this Writ Petition is disposed of by directing the petitioner to submit a fresh representation giving full particulars of the petition submitted by the petitioner with the official respondents under the Right to Information Act, within a period of two (2) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. On receipt of the said representation with full particulars, the 1st respondent shall pass final orders on merits and in accordance with law as expeditiously as possible. No costs.

06.03.2026 Index : Yes / No Speaking order / Non-speaking order sp Page No.4 of 6 To

1.The State Chief Information Commissioner, Tamilnadu State Information Commission, No.19, Government Farm House, Penpet, Nandanam, Chennai – 600 035.

2.The Secretary of Government, Government of Tamilnadu, Backward Class and Most Backward Class, Minorities Welfare Department, Secretariat to Government, Chennai – 600 009.

3.The Commissioner, Directorate of Backward Welfare, Chepauk, Chennai – 600 005. Page No.5 of 6 ABDUL QUDDHOSE,

J.

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED : 06.03.2026 CORAM : THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE ABDUL QUDDHOSE R.Dharmaraj ... Petitioner Vs. 1.The State Chief Information Commissioner, Tamilnadu State Information Commission, No.19, Government Farm House, Penpet, Nandanam, Chennai – 600 035. 2.The Secretary of Government, Government of Tamilnadu, Backward Class and Most Backward Class, Minorities Welfare Department, Secretariat to Government, Chennai – 600 009. 3.The Commissioner, Directorate of Backward Welfare, Chepauk, Chennai – 600 005. 4.R.Ramana Gopal 5.G.H.Syed Abdul Pari ... Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondent No.1 to 3 consider the petitioner representation dated on 06.12.2025 and Page No.1 of 6 initiate proceedings under Section 20(1) as per Public Information Officer, against the Respondents No.4 and 5 in relation with deliberately lethargic attitude within a reasonable time. For Petitioner : Mr.A.Ramesh For Respondents : Mr.C.Vigneswaran Standing Counsel [R1] Mr.N.Naveen Kumar Government Advocate [R2 & R3] Notice dispensed with [R4 & R5] *****