1 2026:CGHC:18494 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR WPC No. 642 of 2026 1 - Sonau Lahare S/o Sudhuram Lahare Aged About 66 Years R/o Vill. Darchura, Tahsil Simga, Dist. Balodabazar-Bhatapara (C.G.) ... Petitioner(s) versus 1 - Chhattisgarh State Information Commission Through Secretary, State Information Commission, North Block Sector 19, Capital Complex, Nava Raipur (Atal Nagar), Dist.- Raipur Chhattisgarh 2 - Secretary/ Public Information Officer Gram Panchayat Darchura, Tahsil- Simga, Dist.- Balaodabazar- Bhatapara (C.G.) 3 - Appellate Authority/ Chief Executive Officer Janpad Panchayat Simga, Dist.- Balodabazar- Bhatapara (C.G.) 4 - Second Appellate Authority/ Chief Information Commissioner Chhattisgarh State Information Commission, Raipur ... Respondent(s) For Petitioner(s) : Shri Himanshu Kunjam, Advocate. Hon’ble Mr. Justice Amitendra Kishore Prasad Order on Board 22/04/2026 1. By way of this Writ Petition, the petitioner has prayed for the following reliefs:- 10.1 That, this Hon'ble Court may kindly be pleased to issue an appropriate writ/order/ direction, thereby order the respondents to furnish complete information sought by the petitioner in RTI application dated 10.12.2024. 10.2 That, this Hon'ble Court may kindly be pleased to issue an appropriate writ/order/direction, to the State Information Commission to decide the Second appeal in the same facts. AVINASH SHARMA Digitally signed by AVINASH SHARMA Date: 2026.04.24 09:42:59 +0530 2 10.3 That, this Hon'ble Court may kindly be pleased to issue an appropriate writ/order/direction, thereby impose penalty upon the respondent authorities. Compensation may also be given to the Petitioner. 10.4 That, any other relief/order which may deem fit and just in the facts and circumstances of the case including award of the costs of the petition may be given. 2. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that in exercise of his statutory right under Right to Information Act, 2005, the petitioner submitted a written application dated 10.12.2024 seeking information relating to total number of ration cards in Gram Panchayat Darchura and details of deduction of Rs. 500/- from ration cars with cashbook entries, details of NOCs issued to brick kilns and companies along with certified copy and details of works executed by Sarpanch along with work orders, bills, vouchers and measurement books. On receipt of the said RTI application, respondents have failed to provide the information within the mandatory time period of 15 days, nor has any lawful rejection been communicated by the respondent. Since, the petitioner did not get any reply from his preferred application, he preferred a First Appeal (Annexure A/2) under the RTI Act on 20.02.2025, before the Chief Executive Officer, Janpad Panchayat Simga. However, neither any order was passed nor any information was furnished by the appellant authority. Thereafter, the petitioner filed a Second Appeal (Annexure A/3) Under RTI Act before the Chhattisgarh State Information Commission, Raipur, on 28.03.2025, depositing the prescribed fee and enclosing all relevant documents. However, the respondents have failed to decide the appeal or supply the information, thereby defeating the very object of the RTI Act. Being aggrieved by the lethargic approach of respondents as stated above, the petitioner is feeling harassed and has no other efficacious option but to 3 approach this Court for necessary direction in the matter. 3. Considering the submission made by the petitioner, and particularly the fact that niether the first appellate authority nor second appellate authority has not even acted upon the application/appeal of the petitioner for information under the RTI Act, as such, it is directed to the respondent authorities to decide the application/appeal of the petitioner in accordance with law within a period of 60 days from the date of receipt of copy of this order, if not decided yet. 4. If grievance of the petitioner still remains unredressed, he may approach this Court. 5. With the aforesaid observation/direction, this Writ Petition is disposed of. Sd/- (Amitendra Kishore Prasad) Judge Avinash