P.Ramar v. The State of Tamil Nadu

ORDER The present writ petition is filed praying for a writ of Mandamus, directing Respondents 2, 3 and 5 to furnish the documents as sought for by Petitioner vide applications under Right to Information Act, 2005 dated

17.03.2021, 22.04.2021 and 17.05.2021, in compliance to the orders passed by 4th Respondent dated 26.11.2021, 28.04.2022, 16.06.2022 and 12.07.2022, including penalties imposed by 4th Respondent forthwith. Page3 of 5

¶2It is submitted by both the learned counsel for the petitioner as well as the respondent in unison that the matters are covered by the judgment of Division Bench of this Court in WA No1431 of 2023 dated 09.03.2026. The relevant portion of the same is extracted hereunder: "7. Be that as it may, this Court need not go into the other merits of the case. However, the said document as such sought for by the 2nd respondent/ information seeker is not a protected document under section 8(1)(j)of the Act. That apart, the language employed under section 8(1)(j), in unequivocal terms reiterates that if any such information relates to public activity then it is not protected. In the present case, the PSTM certificate is produced for the purpose of selection and that being the factum, the said provision would have no application and thus, there is no impediment for providing a copy of the certificate or the information about the candidate to the information seeker as such sought for. That apart, information regarding the correctness of PSTM certificate or related information would not fall under the definition of personal information."

¶3Learned counsel for respondent would also submit that they would furnish the copies sought for by the petitioner in terms of the judgment of the Division Bench of this Court. Page4 of 5

¶4In view thereof, the Writ Petition stands disposed of on the above terms. Respondents shall furnish copies sought by the petitioner within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. No costs. 11-03-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order jv To

¶1The Principal Secretary to Government, Government of Tamil Nadu School Education Department, Secretariat, Fort St. George, Chennai-600 009.

¶2The Commissioner Directorate of School Education, DPI Campus, College Road, Chennai-600 006.

¶3The Chairman Teacher Recruitment Board, 3rd Floor, Puratchi Thalaivar Dr.M.G.R. Centenary Building, DPI campus, College Road, Chennai-600 006.

¶4The Commissioner of information Tamil Nadu Information Commission, 19, Government Farm Village, Panepet, Nandanam, Chennai-600 035.

¶5The Public Information officer Teacher Recruitment Board, 3rd Floor, Puratchi Thalaivar Dr. M.G. R. Centenary Building, DPI campus, College Road, Chennai-600 006. WPoNo.o34332oofo2022 MOHAMMEDoSHAFFIQ,oJ. jv WPoNo.o34332oofo2022 11-03-2026 Page5oofo5

Page1 of 5 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 11-03-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE MOHAMMED SHAFFIQ P.Ramar S/o.K.Pichaimuthu, 4/144,Devendira Kula Velalar Nagar, Anayampatti Post,Gangavalli Taluk, Salem District- 636 105. ..Petitioner(s) Vs 1. The State of Tamil Nadu Rep by its Principal Secretary to Government, School Education Department, Secretariat, Fort St. George, Chennai- 600 009. 2. The Commissioner Directorate of School Education, DPI Campus, College Road, Chennai- 600 006. 3. The Chairman Teacher Recruitment Board, 3rd Floor, Puratchi Thalaivar Dr.M.G.R. Centenary Building, DPI campus, College Road, Chennai- 600 006. 4. The Commissioner of information Tamil Nadu Information Commission, 19, Government Farm Village, Panepet, Nandanam, Chennai- 600 035. 5. The Public Information officer Teacher Recruitment Board, 3rd Floor, Puratchi Thalaivar Dr. M.G. R. Centenary Building, DPI campus, College Road, Chennai- 600 006. ..Respondent(s) Page2 of 5 Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, pleased to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the Respondents 2, 3 and 5 to furnish the documents as sought for by the Petitioner vide applications under Right to Information Act, 2005 dated 17.03.2021, 22.04.2021 and 17.05.2021, in compliance to the orders passed by the 4th Respondent dated 26.11.2021, 28.04.2022, 16.06.2022 and 12.07.2022, including penalties imposed by the 4th Respondent, forthwith, within a time frame to be fixed by this Hon'ble Court. For Petitioner(s): Mr. S.Nedunchezhiyan For Respondent(s): Mrs.A.Bakiyalakshmi Government Advocate, for RR 1 & 2 Mr.C.Kathiravan Standing Counsel for RR 3 & 5