RAKESH KUMAR SINGH Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) In February 2009 an advertisement was issued by the Department of Economic Affairs inviting participation of all resident Indians including professional artists as well as non-professionals to participate in a competition for the design of a symbol for the Indian Rupee.

(2.) On a scrutiny of the applications it was found that 2644 applications were eligible. The Petitioner too submitted an entry. The entries were placed before a jury comprising seven members which met in New Delhi on 29th and 30th September 2009 and on 16th November 2009. Of the top five finalists, four had sent a single entry and one had sent four entries out of which the first two entries were considered. The Petitioner's entry did not qualify among the five finalists. The entry submitted by Shri D. Udaya Kumar; was selected as the symbol that would denote the Rupee. The Petitioner is aggrieved by the said decision and has challenged it in this petition.

(3.) Innumerable questions were asked by the Petitioner under the Right to Information Act, 2005 ( 'RTI Act') eliciting responses on various aspects of the selection of the design. Many of the queries and the responses thereto by the Respondents have been enclosed with the petition. They give an indication of what transpired.