KRISHNA HARISCHANDRA RAO Vs. STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This petition purporting to be public interest petition is filed by five petitioners for challenging the appointment of respondent No.2- Mr.Ratnakar Gaikwad as the State Chief Information Commissioner under Section 15(1) of the Right to Information Act, 2005. Petitioners nos. 1,3 & 4 had also applied for the said post. However, petitioners Nos. 2 & 5 had not applied for the said post.

(2.) Petitioners Nos. 1, 3 & 4 contend that they are actively disseminating knowledge and practical inputs among Right to Information applicants and other citizens and that are widely networked with RTI activists around the country and are opinion-leaders. They are frequently invited to impart training in RTI to various citizens, groups, NGOs and government organizations.

(3.) Petitioner No.1, arguing in person on behalf of all the petitioners, stated at the outset that as the impugned appointment was made in June 2012, the petitioners are not relying on the judgment dated 13 September 2012 of the Supreme Court in Namit Sharma v/s. Union of India,2012 6 BCR 350.