NT Reporter
Panaji
The High Court on Thursday dismissed a petition filed by Yogesh Fatarpekar, secretary and public information officer of Majorda-Utorda-Calata panchayat, and observed that his approach towards compliance with the orders of the Goa State Information Commission appeared “brazen
and casual”.
Justice Dr Neela Gokhale observed that despite several opportunities to file a reply to a complaint, Fatarpekar failed to do so. The court stated that only after a show-cause notice was issued by the commission did he file a reply. It further stated that even thereafter, he failed to appear personally before the commission to
answer the notice.
The High Court stated that his conduct indicated a total disregard for citizens’ rights under the Right to Information Act.
As a public information officer, he failed in his duty to act in aid of the provisions of the Act and instead proceeded to disregard the directions and orders of the state commission, it stated.
The commission’s order under challenge was therefore justified, the
court stated.
Under the impugned order, the commission imposed a penalty of Rs 25,000 on Fatarpekar for refusing to provide information sought by Sharlet Fernandes of Utorda-Majorda under Section 20(1) of the Right to Information Act, 2005. The penalty was directed to be deducted from his salary on or before February 15, 2026, by the Director
of Panchayats.
The commission had also directed the Director of Panchayats to conduct an inquiry against Fatarpekar for non-compliance with its order in an appeal and for non-compliance with directions relating to the show-cause notice. Other directions were also issued.
The High Court stated that the footage sought by Fernandes did not relate to any personal information of the sarpanch, as the CCTV footage pertained to a meeting of the panchayat held in the
sarpanch’s chamber.
