JUDGMENT :

1. The present writ petition has been filed for quashing the order dated 02.06.2017 (Annexure-12 to the writ petition) passed by the Information Commissioner, Jharkhand State Information Commission [hereinafter referred to as ‘the Commission’], Ranchi-the respondent No.2 in Appeal Case No. 2336 of 2014 whereby a penalty of Rs.25,000/- has been imposed upon the petitioner under Section 20(1) of the Right to Information Act, 2005 [hereinafter referred to as ‘the Act, 2005’] with a further direction issued to the respondent No.5 to initiate departmental proceeding against him under Section 20(2) of the Act, 2005.

2. Learned Sr. counsel for the petitioner submits that the respondent No.3 had filed an application on 20.06.2014 for providing details of some land situated at Mouza-Khurd Khuntikewal, Thana No. 44, and Mouza-Kanchanpur, Thana No. 147 of Hunterganj Block under Chatra District. However, the then Assistant Settlement Officer-cum-Public Information Officer, Hazaribagh did not supply those information to the respondent No.3 within the statutory period of 30 days. Thereafter, the respondent No.3 preferred an appeal before the Settlement Officer at Hazaribagh on 23.07.20