IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE S.SIRI JAGAN TUESDAY, THE 3RD APRIL 2007 / 13TH CHAITHRA 1930 WP(C).No. 7302 of 2007(T) ---------------------------------- PETITIONER: ------------------ M.D. THOMAS, S/O.LATE MR.DEVASIA, AGED 53 YEARS, PROPRIETOR, RED LAND TEA FACTORY, KOCHUKAIMTHARUVI P.O., ELAPPARA, IDUKKI DISTRICT. BY ADV. SRI.RAJU K.MATHEWS RESPONDENTS: ----------------------- 1. THE CHIEF GENERAL MANAGER (OPERATIONS) (APPELLATE AUTHORITY UNDER RTI ACT) STATE BANK OF INDIA, LOCAL HEAD OFFICE, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. 2. THE ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER, STATE BANK OF INDIA (OB) W.ISLAND, COCHIN. BY ADV. SRI. K.K. CHANDRAN PILLAI - SC THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 03/04/2007, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: S. SIRI JAGAN, J. -------------------------- W.P.(C)NO.7302 OF 2007 ------------------------- DATED THIS THE 3rd DAY OF APRIL, 2007 JUDGMENT The petitioner sought certain information under the Right to Information Act from the 2nd respondent, who by Ext.P2 proceedings rejected the application. The petitioner has filed Ext.P3 appeal before the 1st respondent and seeks a direction to the 1st respondent to dispose of the same expeditiously. 2. The learned standing counsel for the respondent submits that the 1st respondent is not the Appellate Authority and that the Chief General Manger (Operations) State Bank of India, Co-operative Centre, Mumbai is the Appellate Authority designated under the Right to Information Act to hear appeals against the orders of the original authority. In the above circumstances, I direct the Chief General Manager (Operations) State Bank of India, Co-operative Centre, Mumbai to consider and pass appropriate order on Ext.P3 appeal within one month from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment. 3. The learned standing counsel appearing for the respondent submits that Ext.P3 is not traceable in the office of the 1st respondent. In the above circumstances, I direct that this writ petition itself would W.P.(c)7302/07 2 be considered as an appeal filed by the petitioner and the above said Appellate Authority shall consider the same and pass appropriate orders thereon. To enable him to do so, I direct the petitioner to forward a copy of this writ petition along with a certified copy of this judgment for compliance. The writ petition is disposed of as above. S. SIRI JAGAN, JUDGE Acd W.P.(c)7302/07 3