Ministry of Railways v. Hukma Raj Badala
RTI Act – Sections 19(8)(b) and 20 – Compensation and penalty by Central Information Commission
Case brief
What is this about?
Common judgment in W.P.(C) 1803/2019 and W.P.(C) 1804/2019 (CM APPL. 8417/2019, 9698/2024, 8418/2019, 9697/2024), High Court of Delhi, decided 20.02.2026 by Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav J. (oral). Petitioner: Ministry of Railways (Subhash Tanwar (SPC) and team); respondents: Hukma Raj Badala / Hukma Raj Bdala (represented through Amicus Curiae Asmita Singh with Ankita makan, Shashank jain, Geet kumar). Subject: setting aside CIC orders dated 12.04.2018 (compensation Rs. 10,000/- under Section 19 RTI Act for delayed furnishing of information) and 29.10.2018 (review rejection; Rs. 5,000/- penalty for non-payment of compensation). Key holdings: compensation under Section 19(8)(b) requires enquiry-based ascertainment of precise loss; Section 20 penalty cannot attach to an unsustainable compensation direction. Precedents: NTPC Ltd. v. Mohd. Samad Khan (2010:DHC:1362, para 17); PIO Tihar Jain v. Om Prakash Gandhi (2018:DHC::1203); Directorate of Higher Education v. CIC (2020:DHC:1150); Zoya Rahman v. Bihar School Examination Board (CWJC No. 5500 of 2023). Outcome: petitions disposed of, orders set aside, refund of deposit if any, liberty to pursue Section 20 penalty for delay.