PUSHPA KIRAN KUJUR Vs. CHHATTISGARH STATE INFORMATION COMMISSION

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Challenge in the present writ petition is to the order dated 23. 8. 2019 passed by respondent no. 1 in Second Appeal No. A/4103/2017/Bilaspur preferred by respondent no. 4.

(2.) Challenge to the impugned order is to the extent of the petitioner being held liable for paying an amount of Rs. 23,000/- on account of alleged loss caused to the government in the process of providing information to respondent no. 4 under the provisions of the Right to Information Act , 2005 (hereinafter referred to as "the RTI Act ") free of cost.

(3.) The primary contention of the petitioner is that the impugned order passed by respondent no. 1 is in total contravention of the statutory provisions as is envisaged under Section 20 of the RTI Act. According to the petitioner, Section 20 of the RTI Act clearly stipulates the procedure, to be adopted by respondent no. 1 before penalties are imposed. In the instant case, neither was the petitioner made a party to the proceeding nor was she called upon by the respondent no. 1 before she was held responsible for the said payment of cost.