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2024 Supreme(Online)(Tel) 34821
IN THE HIGH COURT FOR THE STATE OF TELANGANA AT HYDERABAD
K. LAKSHMAN, J
Gatram Venkateshwara Rao – Appellant
Versus
The State Public Information Officer – Respondent
WP/19060/2024
HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE K. LAKSHMAN WRIT PETITION No.19060 of 2024
ORDER
Heard Sri Aadesh Varma, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and learned Assistant Government Pleader for Home appearing for the respondents. Perused the record.
2. The petitioner has submitted an application under Section 6(1) of the Right to Information Act, 2005 (for short ‘RTI Act’) seeking certain information with the Public Information Officer of respondent No.1-the Deputy Superintendent of Police, ACB, Ranga Reddy Range seeking certain information. The said application was not considered. Therefore, the petitioner has preferred an appeal under Section 19(1) of RTI Act before 1st appellate authority – the Joint Director, Anti Corruption Bureau, ACB, TS, Hyderabad. Vide order dated 11.07.2023 in Appeal No.01/01st AA/RTI/TS/2023 the Joint Director stated that the investigation is pending in the subject crime and charge sheet is filed. Referring Section 8(1)(h) of RTI Act, 2005 he informed the petitioner that he cannot furnish the information as sought by the petitioner. Feeling aggrieved by the said order, petitioner preferred Second Appeal with respondent No.2 under Section 19(3) of the RTI Act. Respondent No.2 is not considering and disposing of the said appeal, in accordance with law. Therefore, the present Writ Petition. 3. During the course of hearing, it is brought to the notice of this Court that there are no Commissioners in the office of respondent No.2 and PIL is pending on the said aspect. Government has issued notification seeking applications to appoint Commissioners in the office of respondent No.2 and the process is on.
4. In the light of the same, the Writ Petition is disposed of directing respondent No.2 to dispose of the Second Appeal filed by the petitioner under Section 19(3) of RTI Act challenging the order, dated 11.07.2023 in Appeal No.01/01st AA/RTI/TS/2023 of first Appellate Authority and pass appropriate orders in accordance with law, as expeditiously as possible, preferably, within a period of 90 days from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.
There shall be no order as to costs.
As a sequel, the miscellaneous petitions, if any, pending in the Writ Petition shall stand closed.
__________________ K. LAKSHMAN, J July 23, 2024 PN
