Daily News Summary
Get concise and efficient summaries of key articles from prominent newspapers. Our daily news digest ensures quick reading and easy understanding, helping you stay informed about important events and developments without spending hours going through full articles. Perfect for focused and timely updates.
News Summary
- Economics (Indian Economy)
- Schemes in News
- Economics (Macroeconomics)
- Polity and Governance
- Social Issues
- Science and Technology
- International Relations
- Modern Indian History
- Geography
- Environment
- Indian Society
- Security
- Ancient Indian History
- Ethics
- Basic Science (Biology)
- Art and Culture
For enforcing RTI, High Courts come under the jurisdiction of Central and not State Information Commission
- The Hindu |
- Polity and Governance |
- 2025-01-09
- RTI
- CIC
- Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005
The Central Information Commission has ruled that all High Courts fall under its jurisdiction, not the State Information Commissions, under the Right to Information Act, 2005. This decision emerged following an appeal regarding access to court documents.
Central Information Commission's Ruling on High Courts under RTI Act
The Central Information Commission (CIC) has issued a pivotal order asserting that all High Courts, as public authorities under the Right to Information Act, 2005, fall within its jurisdiction rather than the State Information Commissions.
Background and Context
- A petitioner sought to inspect a writ petition file under Section 2(j) of the RTI Act.
- Unsatisfied with the response from the Chief Public Information Officer (CPIO) of the Madras High Court, the petitioner approached the CIC.
Arguments and Authority
- The CPIO contended that documents or certified copies related to judicial cases could be accessed under Order XII Rule 3 of the Madras High Court Appellate Side Rules, 1965.
- The CPIO referenced a Supreme Court decision in a related case between the CIC and the High Court of Gujarat.
Jurisdiction Issue
- The CPIO claimed that the CIC lacked jurisdiction and the appeal should have been directed to the Tamil Nadu State Information Commission.
- Chief Information Commissioner Heeralal Samariya emphasized that the RTI Act establishes separate and distinct jurisdictions for the Central and State Information Commissions.
Constitutional Provisions
- The constitution and organization of High Courts fall under the legislative purview of Parliament as per Union List-Entry 78 in Schedule VII of the Indian Constitution.
- Under Article 231, Parliament may establish a common High Court for multiple States or Union Territories.
Conclusion
- All High Courts, being public authorities under the RTI Act, are subject to the jurisdiction of the CIC.
- No malafide intentions were found in the actions of the CPIO, thus no further action was deemed necessary by Mr. Samariya.