CJI under RTI Act or Not

It refers to contradictory views of Chief Justice of India and Lok Sabha Speaker on the issue of CJI being covered under ‘Right To Information Act’ for information relating to office of Chief Justice. When heads of constitutional bodies like President, Governors or Speakers of legislative bodies listed as competent authorities under section 2(e)

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June 18, 2022
It refers to contradictory views of Chief Justice of India and Lok Sabha Speaker on the issue of CJI being covered under ‘Right To Information Act’ for information relating to office of Chief Justice. When heads of constitutional bodies like President, Governors or Speakers of legislative bodies listed as competent authorities under section 2(e) being heads of respective constitutional bodies as public-authorities under section 2(h) are covered by RTI Act without any resistance, Chief Justices of India mentioned as competent authority is naturally covered by RTI Act with Supreme Court being a public-authority. Eminent jurists and legal luminaries including some former Chief Justices of India have also advocated for complete transparency in functioning of judicial appointments and administration.
Earlier also, Supreme Court tried for a virtual exemption from RTI Act by recommending that second and final appellate authority for Supreme Court may be its Registrar General instead of Chief Information Commissioner. RTI Act was introduced with its preamble aiming at a corruption-free regime with transparent functioning. Transparency is necessary at a time when media reports of malfunctioning in judicial appointments and corruption in judiciary are tarnishing the fine image of Indian judiciary. Chief Information Commissioner should clear the air by urgent hearing of the appeal pending before him on the issue.
Subhash C. Agrawal

Delhi