Authority: Hon'ble Manoj Kumar Tiwari, J (High Court)
Order Date: 22 September 2026
Case Overview
- Petitioner: Abhinav Sharma
- Respondent: Public Information Officer, Punjab National Bank, Khatima Branch, District Udham Singh Nagar
- Nature of Proceeding: Writ petition under Article 226 seeking mandamus and expedited hearing of a pending second appeal before the Central Information Commissioner (CIC).
- Background: The petitioner applied for a credit limit under the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (Account No. 06804011000974). He filed RTI applications on 24‑09‑2025 and 22‑12‑2025 requesting certified copies of all documents signed, executed, or acknowledged by him at the time of availing the credit limit. The Public Information Officer did not supply the information, leading the petitioner to file a first appeal, which was rejected. A second appeal was filed on 11‑07‑2026 and is pending before the CIC.
- Reliefs Sought:
1. Issuance of a writ, order, or direction in the nature of mandamus commanding the respondent to provide the complete, legible, certified copies of the requested documents.
2. Expedited hearing of the pending second appeal before the CIC.
3. Award of exemplary costs to the petitioner for the alleged illegal and obstructive conduct of the respondents.
Final Outcome
- The Court held that the matter is pending before the Central Information Commissioner and, as per law, it cannot grant the writ at this stage.
- Consequently, the Court declined to grant the reliefs sought, including the award of exemplary costs.
- The petition is disposed of with a specific request to the Central Information Commissioner to endeavour to decide the second appeal as early as possible.
Topics: RTI, Banking Law, Judicial Relief