HC official fined for not replying to RTI query

HT Correspondent, Hindustan Times, New Delhi, March 14, 2009

The Central Information Commission has imposed a fine of Rs 25,000 on a Delhi High Court official for failing to respond to an RTI application forwarded to it by the Supreme Court of India. This is the maximum penalty imposed under RTI.

“It appears that he has no submission justifying the failure to respond to the application transferred to him by the CPIO, Supreme Court of India. He has therefore rendered himself liable for the full penalty of Rs 25,000,” Chief Information Commissioner Wajahat Habibullah said, in his order on Friday.

Habibullah directed the Registrar of Delhi High Court to recover this amount from Jt Registrar (establishment) and PIO P.S. Chaggar either directly or through deductions from his salary not exceeding Rs 5,000 per month from April 3.

The case relates to RTI application filed by one Vijay Pal Singh who sought information, regarding a case filed by the MCD against him, from the Supreme Court of India.

The apex court forwarded the application to the MCD and the Delhi High Court, as it was not the custodian of the information.

While Central Public Information Officer (CPIO) of MCD provided the information, though unsatisfactory as per Singh, the High Court representative did not even appear during the final hearing of the case at the CIC.