SC agrees to reveal information with CJI under RTI Act

Mellowing down its earlier stand that no information with the Chief Justice of India could be revealed under RTI Act, the Supreme Court agreed on Tuesday to disclose information on what action the CJI has taken on a complaint filed against a sitting Allahabad High Court Judge.

Attorney General G E Vahanvati, appearing for Supreme Court registry, told the Delhi High court although he does not accept the "correctness" of Central Information Commission's judgement, the information would be provided under the transparency Act. The CIC had on July 16 held that the office of CJI came within the purview of the transparency law and the Apex court was under obligation to reveal the information available with CJI'S office including the details of action taken on the complaint.

The CIC, while passing the order, had rejected the plea of Supreme Court registry that the office of CJI is distinct from the Apex Court and cannot be said to be under the purview of the RTI Act. Appearing before Justice Sanjiv Khanna, the AG informed the court though the Apex Court has agreed to reveal information it was necessary to file the appeal against the CIC order as "non filing of a petition in the present case could not be construed as an acceptance of ratio of the order of CIC."