Right to information Act- Ignorance of law is no excuse.
I have considered the rival contentions in detail. In
Ext.P8, there is no specific finding that the petitioner delayed
furnishing of the information without reasonable cause. But,
still the explanation offered by the petitioner would only be
sufficient to reduce the penalty and not to absolve the
petitioner from liability. Ignorance of law is no excuse. The
petitioner had sufficient time to get himself acquainted withthe law and get clarification within the time stipulated. There
was delay in doing the same for which I am of opinion that a
nominal penalty has to be imposed on the petitioner, which is
necessary to ensure strict compliance with the provisions of
the Right to Information Act, by the petitioner and others in
future.
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM
PRESENT:
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE S.SIRI JAGAN
TUESDAY, THE 28TH DAY OF FEBRUARY 2012/9TH
PHALGUNA 1933
WP(C).No. 27210 of 2007 (L)
P.G.SASIDHARAN,
THE PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER, COMMERCIAL TAXES
ERNAKULAM.
RESPONDENT(S):--------------
1. THE STATE INFORMATION COMMISSION,
Dated this the 28th day of February, 2012
