KATHMANDU: The Examinations Controller of the Office of the Controller of Examinations of the Tribhuvan University, Pushpa Raj Joshi, has been fined Rs 20,000 for concealing information.

Issuing a press statement on Tuesday, the National Information Commission said a division bench of Chief Information Commissioner Mahendra Man Gurung and commissioner duo Kamala Oli Thapa and Ratna Prasad Mainali decided to fine Joshi as per the Clause 32 (1) of the Right to Information Act, 2007.

The verdict was taken from the Commission as per the appeal made by Rajib Das of Malihiya-5 in Rautahat district.

Das had sought verified document of information from the Office of the Controller of Examinations of the Tribhuvan University about the timeframe needed to complete medical studies and the provisions needed for the same.

As Das was denied information from the Office as per the RTI Act, he had lodged an appeal at the National Information Commission naming chief of the office and information officer as defendants.

After the registration of the appeal, Chief Examinations Controller Joshi was repeatedly directed to provide information and was warned of action if information were denied.

Handing down the verdict, the National Information Commission has stated that Chief Joshi made sheer violation of constitutionally guaranteed right to information.

Chief Commissioner Gurung said the Commission has also directed to provide information on the issue. Likewise, a directive has been issued to the District Administration Office directing to inform the Commission by slapping the fine on Joshi as per Rule 6 (7) of the RTI Regulations 2009 and provide information as sought by the petitioner.