1. Both these writ petitions are amenable for being decided
through a common verdict on account of theirs encapsulating similar
facts, besides theirs being engendered by a common legal issue.
2. The instant writ petitions assail separate orders dated
1 of 16
08.02.2016 passed by the State Information Commission, Punjab,
whereby a penalty of ₹25,000/- has been fastened upon petitioner No.2
under Section 20 of the Right to Information Act, 2005 (hereinafter
referred to as “the RTI Act”), and compensation to the extent of ₹20,000/-
has also been awarded in favour of respondent No.2/applicant under
Section 19(8)(b) of the RTI Act, payable from the funds of the public
authority.