UNIQUE IDENTIFICATION AUTHORITY OF INDIA vs CENTRAL INFORMATION COMMISSION,

Judgment text excerpt

$~J * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI % Judgment pronounced on : 17.04.2025 + W.P.(C) 3019/2025 & CM APPL. 14293/2025, CM APPL. 14294/2025 & CM APPL. 14295/2025 UNIQUE IDENTIFICATION AUTHORITY OF INDIA .....Petitioner Through: Mr. Vipin Jai and Mr. Ujjwal Goel, Advocates. versus CENTRAL INFORMATION COMMISSION .....Respondent Through: None. CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SACHIN DATTA JUDGMENT 1. The present petition seeks to assail an order dated 24.05.2024 passed by the Central Information Commission (CIC) whereby a penalty of Rs. 10,000/- (each) was imposed on the Chief Public Information Officer, Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) and First Appellate Authority, UIDAI under Section 20(1) of the Right to Information Act, 2005 (hereinafter referred to as “RTI Act”). 2. The petitioner has filed the present petition seeking the following prayers: “i. Pass an appropriate Writ, Order or Direction, quashing the Impugned Order bearing CIC/NITIA/A/2022/669319, dated 24.05.2024, being based on incorrect facts and law; and ii. Pass an appropriate Writ, Order or Direction, directing the Respondent to take action on the representation/ application for modification of the Impugned Order dated 24.05.2024; and iii. Pass an order in the interim staying the operation of the Impugned Order to the extent of establishment of mala fide against the Petitioner as well as W.P.(C) 3019/2025 Page 1 of 18 Signature Not Verified Digitally Signed By:ABHISHEK THAKUR Signing Date:21.04.2025 20:09:24 the penalty imposed under Section 20(1) of the RTI Act, 2005; and iv. Any other relief(s) which this Hon’ble Court may deem it in the favour of the Petitioner and against the Respondents.” 3. An RTI application dated 22.08.2022 was filed by Mr. Krishna Deo Prasad Sahu (hereinafter ‘the a