DILIP PRABHAKAR GHEWARE Vs. BRIJESH SHARMA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The Petitioner in all five Writ Petitions is challenging the order dtd. 17/9/2021 passed by the State Information Commissioner, Konkan Region, Navi Mumbai. The Petitioner challenges the impugned order imposing penalty on him for the alleged dereliction of his duties, purportedly to be in exercise of powers under Sec. 20(1) of the Right to Information Act, 2005 (for short "the Act of 2005"). All the Writ Petitions are identical. In all the Writ Petitions, a penalty of Rs.25,000.00 each is imposed, vide order dtd. 17/9/2021, except Writ Petition No. 2369 of 2022, where a penalty of Rs.5000.00 is imposed on the Petitioner. The Petitioner as well as the Respondents in all the Writ Petitions are same, even the order of penalty imposed by way of separate orders is also issued on the same date, hence they are being decided by way of this common order.

(2.) We have heard the learned counsel for the Petitioner. The Respondent No. 1, though duly served, none appears for him, however an affidavit is placed on record on behalf of Respondent No.1, which is being taken into consideration.

(3.) Mr. Bubna, learned counsel for the Petitioner would submit that Respondent No. 1, who is a social activist filed applications under the Right to Information Act, 2005, seeking following information: