JUDGMENT :

The present writ petition has been filed for quashing the order dated 11.08.2008 (Annexure-9 to the writ petition) passed by the Jharkhand State Information Commission (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Commission’) in Appeal No. 688/2007 whereby a penalty of Rs.25,000/- has been imposed under Section 20(1) of the Right to Information Act, 2005 (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Act, 2005’) upon the petitioner to be deducted from his salary in five equal instalments as well as recommendation has been made for initiation of departmental proceeding against him under Section 20(2) of the Act, 2005.

2. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner held the post of the Public Information Officer-cum-Conservator of Forest, Core Area, Tiger Project, Daltonganj at the time of filing of the writ petition. The petitioner received a letter on 17.01.2008 issued by the Under Secretary of the Commission annexing a copy of order dated 18.12.2007 passed by the Commission in Appeal No. 688/2007 communicated to him vide memo No. 8079 dated 20.12.2007 whereby he was directed to remain physically present before the Commission on 21.01.2008. Thereafter, he intimated the Commission