The Supreme Court today moved the Delhi High Court challenging its order holding that the office of Chief Justice of India came within the ambit of the RTI Act and that information pertaining to declaration of judges' assets could be made public.The apex court filed an appeal against judgement of a single bench of the High Court which had on September 2 stated that the CJI is a public authority and his office comes within the purview of the transparency law.The High Court judgement was against the stand taken by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan, who had consistently been maintaining that his office is beyond the purview of the Right to Information Act.Although the Supreme Court had agreed to put the information regarding assets of judges on its website, the appeal filed deals with the larger issue whether the CJI's office comes within the ambit of the RTI Act.The appeal against the single bench verdict would be heard by a division bench of the High Court. Justice S Ravindra Bhatt had rejected the plea of the Supreme Court that the disclosure of information on assets which was made to the CJI was unworkable.The High Court, which described the transparency law as a powerful beacon, had said the modalities for revealing information could be decided by the CJI in consultation with other judges.
News On AIR | October 5, 2009 8:24 PM
SC challenges Delhi High Court order on Judges’ assets declaration