BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 11.02.2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE K.SURENDER K.Maridoss, S/o Karupaiya, Ilayankudi Maruthuvar Samuthaiya Peravai, Thayamangalam, Thayamangalam (PO), Ilayankudi Taluk, Sivagangai District. ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The Tamil Nadu State Information Commission cum Second Appellate Authority, (Rep. by the Registrar)

Block No.19, Government Farm Village, Panepet, Nandanam, Chennai - 600 035.

2.The Joint Commissioner / Public Information Officer, Joint Commissioner Zonal Office, Thirupathur Road, Sivagangai District.

3.The Assistant Commissioner /

Public Information Officer, Assistant Commissioner Office, Ramanathapuram District. ... Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the first respondent to dispose of the petitioner’s Second Appeal dated 12.01.2026 preferred under Section 19(3) of the Right to Information Act, 2005 within a stipulated time that may be fixed by this Court.

For Petitioner : Mr.G.M.Xavier For R1 : Mr.Ananth C Rajesh Standing Counsel For R2 & R3 : Mr.R.Ragavendran Government Advocate *****

O R D E R

This Writ Petition has been filed seeking issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the first respondent to dispose of the petitioner’s second appeal dated 12.01.2026, preferred under Section 19(3) of the Right to Information Act, 2005, within a stipulated time.

2. With the consent of the parties, this Writ Petition is taken up for final disposal at the admission stage itself.

3. The grievance of the petitioner is that the second appeal preferred under Section 19(3) of the Right to Information Act, 2005, before the first respondent has not been considered and no orders have been passed till date.

4. The learned Standing Counsel appearing for the first respondent would submit that the second appeal preferred by the petitioner is not in the prescribed format and is not in accordance with Rules 3 and 4 of the Tamil Nadu Information Commission (Appeal Procedure) Rules, 2012.

5. The learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner will file a fresh second appeal in accordance with Rules 3 and 4 of the Tamil Nadu Information Commission (Appeal Procedure) Rules, 2012.

6. Recording the above submissions, this Writ Petition is disposed of granting liberty to the petitioner to file a fresh second appeal in the prescribed format and in accordance with the aforesaid Rules. If such an appeal is filed, the first respondent shall consider the same and pass appropriate orders on merits and in accordance with law. It is needless to state that, before passing any order, the petitioner shall be afforded an opportunity of hearing. No costs.

[K.SURENDER, J.]

11.02.2026 JEN Index : Yes / No Neutral Citation : Yes / No To

1.The Registrar, Tamil Nadu State Information Commission cum Second Appellate Authority, Block No.19, Government Farm Village, Panepet, Nandanam, Chennai - 600 035.

2.The Joint Commissioner / Public Information Officer, Joint Commissioner Zonal Office, Thirupathur Road, Sivagangai District.

3.The Assistant Commissioner /

Public Information Officer, Assistant Commissioner Office, Ramanathapuram District.

K.SURENDER , J .

JEN

11.02.2026