JUDGMENT :

1. The present writ petition has been filed for quashing the order dated 07.06.2019 passed by the State Information Commissioner (Annexure-7 to the writ petition) in Appeal Case No. 1994/2015 preferred by the respondent No.3 whereby the petitioner, who at that time was holding the post of the District Engineer-cum-Public Information Officer, Zila Parishad, Gumla, was imposed a penalty of Rs.25,000/- under Section 20(1) of the Right to Information Act, 2005 [hereinafter referred to as ‘the Act, 2005’] and his controlling officer was directed to initiate departmental proceeding against him under Section 20(2) of the Act, 2005.

2. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the information under Section 6 of the Act, 2005 was sought by the respondent No.3 from the office of the District Engineer, Zila Parishad, Gumla-cum-Public Information Officer on 05.08.2014 which was supplied to him on 30.08.2014. The respondent No.3 being dissatisfied with the furnished information, preferred first appeal before the respondent No.2 on 29.09.2014 and during the said proceeding, the information in part was provided to him on 18.10.2014. Thereafter, the respondent No.3 preferred second