Statutory posts not under RTI, says Centre

New Delhi, June 1: The Centre has said constitutional functionaries do not come within the ambit of RTI Act and that Information Commission cannot direct the government to reveal information pertaining to their functioning.

"President, Chief Justice and other constitutional functionaries are beyond the jurisdiction of the authorities under the Right to Information Act," additional solicitor general P.P. Malhotra contended before the Delhi high court. The Centre made the submission, while challenging the Central Information Commission’s order directing it to place the file relating to transfer of high court judges before the Commission.

"These are constitutional functionaries and their functioning is not open for disclosure under the Right to Information Act," Mr Malhotra said, while pleading to stay the order.

Justice Rekha Sharma, after hearing the contention of the government, stayed the order and asked the information seeker who had approached the CIC to file her response by August 26 when the matter would be taken up for further hearing.

Shruti Singh Chauhan, a Delhi resident, had filed an RTI application seeking details from the government on the basis of which high court judges are being transferred. —PTI