ORDER :

1. Petitioner has filed this writ petition challenging the order dated 22.04.2022 passed by the State Information Commission /respondent No.2 imposing penalty upon the petitioner of Rs.25,000/- under the provision of Section 20 (1) of the Right to Information Act, 2005 (for short “ RTI Act”).

2. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that State Information Commissioner in the impugned order has recorded that the notice was issued to the Public Information Officer/Block Education Officer, Surajpur, Block-Surajpur on 08.06.2020, 27.03.2021, 26.08.2021 and 22.01.2022, but there was no representation on behalf of the Block Education Officer/Public Information Officer nor any reply has been submitted. He submits that notices might have been issued on the date mentioned in the order, however, before the date of issuance of notice, petitioner was behind the bar in connection with some criminal case registered against him and pursuant to registration of criminal case and his arrest, petitioner was suspended by the competent authority vide order dated 09.07.2020. After suspension of the petitioner, one Pt. Bhardwaj was posted as Incharge Block Education Officer vide order dated 09