The Sikkim High Court has disposed of a writ petition filed by the Sikkim Public Service Commission (SPSC) challenging directions issued by the Sikkim Information Commission regarding disclosure of recruitment examination records under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.
The matter came before Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai, who recorded the Commission’s willingness to provide the information sought and issued directions regarding its use.
Background of the Case
The dispute arose after an RTI applicant sought information relating to the Sikkim Services (Combined Recruitment) Mains Examination, 2022. The applicant requested details including the list of successful candidates, their roll numbers, marks obtained, and information relating to candidates falling under the Persons with Disabilities (PWD) category.
While some information was supplied, the applicant challenged the partial disclosure before the appellate authorities under the RTI Act. The First Appellate Authority directed limited disclosure, relying on privacy-related exemptions for candidates who had not consented to release of their marks.
Dissatisfied with that decision, the applicant approached the Sikkim Information Commission, which directed SPSC to provide a consolidated merit list of all candidates who had appeared in the interview/viva-voce along with their marks.
SPSC subsequently challenged those directions before the High Court.
During the hearing, Senior Advocate Aarohi Bhalla, appearing for SPSC, informed the Court that legal advice had been given to the Commission and that, considering the facts of the case, SPSC was prepared to comply with the Information Commission’s order.
The Court recorded the submission that SPSC was willing to provide the consolidated merit list and related information, subject to a condition that the RTI applicant would not publish the material on social media platforms.
The applicant, through counsel, stated that there was no objection to the proposal and undertook not to place the information on any social media platform.
Justice Rai noted that the applicant had also raised a grievance regarding alleged difficulties faced during an earlier hearing due to hearing impairment. However, the Court found that issue to be ancillary because the substantive relief sought by the applicant had already been granted through the appellate proceedings.
Directing compliance with the disclosure order, the Court observed that the State Public Information Officer of SPSC should furnish the relevant information to the applicant. The Court further made it clear that the applicant must honor the undertaking not to circulate the information on social media.
“The Respondent No.2 shall however ensure that he will not put it out on any social media platform as undertaken by him before this Court,” the bench observed.
The Court also noted that appropriate steps could follow if the undertaking was violated. With these directions and observations, the writ petition was disposed of, and all pending applications were closed.
Case Details:
Case Title: Sikkim Public Service Commission vs. Sikkim Information Commission and Another
Case Number: WP(C) No.57 of 2025
Judge: Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai
Decision Date: 15 May 2026
