JUDGMENT :

1. The present writ petition has been filed for quashing the order dated 15.03.2017 as contained in memo No. 6417 dated 20.03.2017 (Annexure-7 to the writ petition) passed by the Information Commissioner in Appeal Case No. 422/15 to the extent ‘the then Public Information Officer, Confidential Section, Gumla Collectorate’ i.e. the petitioner has been 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’]. Further prayer has been made for quashing the letter as contained in memo No. 76(i) dated 29.04.2017 (Annexure-8 to the writ petition) issued by the respondent No.2 communicating the order dated 15.03.2017 to the respondent No.1.

2. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that during the period from 20.09.2013 to 19.05.2015 while the petitioner was posted as the District Land Acquisition Officer, Gumla, he was also directed by the respondent No.2 to discharge the duty of the Public Information Officer, District Confidential Section, Gumla. An application was made by the respondent No.6 on 05.07.2014 before the Public Information Officer of District Confidential Section, Gumla i.e. the pet