Office Of Chief Justice Of India Is a Public Authority Under the Right To
Information Act, 2005; holds Constitution Bench
The adage, sunlight is the best disinfectant is often used to delineate
the need for disclosure of matters relating to public interest through the Right
to Information mechanism. The declaration of assets by ministers and
legislators, besides electoral candidates, has gone a long way in shedding light
on public authorities and provided the citizenry more relevant information about
their representatives. Yet, Judges of the Supreme Court had hitherto refused to
share information on their personal assets, citing the express lack of interest.
The welcome historic and landmark judgment by the Constitution Bench comprising
of Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi and Justices N. V. Ramana, D. Y.
Chandrachud, Deepak Gupta and Sanjiv Khanna deciding appeals preferred by the
Central Public Information Officer (‘CPIO’ for short), Supreme Court of India
(appellant in Civil Appeal Nos. 10044 and 10045 of 2010), and Secretary General,
Supreme Court of India (appellant in Civil Appeal No. 2683 of 2010), against the
common respondent – Subhash Chandra Agarwal, and seeking Civil Appeal No. 10044
of 2010 & Ors. to answer the question as to ‘how transparent is transparent
enough’ under the Right to Information Act, 2005 (‘RTI Act’ for short) in the
context of collegium system for appointment and elevation of judges to the
Supreme Court & the High Courts; declaration of assets by judges, etc., held
that the Office of Chief Justice of India is a Public Authority under
Right to Information Act, 2005, now enables the disclosure of information such
as the Judges personal assets.
Transparency does not undermine judicial independence. Judicial independence and
accountability go hand in hand. Disclosure is a facet of public interest, said
Justice Sanjiv Khanna who wrote the majority opinion on behalf of the bench.
Justices Ramana and Chandrachud wrote separate but concurring judgments.
The Supreme Court, however, underlined the importance of maintaining
confidentiality in some aspects of judicial administration, and has qualified
the right to information on the grounds of public interest.
70. Confidentiality may have some bearing and importance in ensuring honest and
fair appraisals, though it could work the other way around also and, therefore,
what should be disclosed would depend on authentic enquiry relating to the
public interest, that is, whether the right to access and the right to know
outweighs the possible public interest in protecting privacy or outweighs the
harm and injury to third parties when the information relates to such third
parties or the information is confidential in nature, stated the Court.(through
J Khannas Judgment).
Adverting to factual aspect, the Civil Appeal No. 10045 of 2010 titled
Central Public Information Officer, Supreme Court of India Vs. Subhash Chandra
Agarwal arise from an application moved by Subhash Chandra Agarwal before
the CPIO, Supreme Court of India on 06th July, 2009 to furnish a copy of the
complete correspondence with the then Chief Justice of India as the Times of
India had reported that a Union Minister had approached, through a lawyer, Mr.
Justice R. Reghupathi of the High Court of Madras to influence his judicial
decisions.
The information was denied by the CPIO, Supreme Court of India on the ground
that the information sought by the applicant-respondent was not handled and
dealt with by the Registry of the Supreme Court of India and the information
relating thereto was neither maintained nor available with the Registry. First
appeal filed by Subhash Chandra Aggarwal was dismissed by the appellate
authority Vide Order dated 05th September, 2009. On further appeal, the Central
Information Commission (‘CIC’ for short) Vide Order dated 24th November, 2009
directed disclosure of information observing that disclosure would not infringe
upon the constitutional status of the Judges. Aggrieved, the CPIO, Supreme Court
of India has preferred this appeal.
The Civil Appeal No. 10044 of 2010 arose from an application dated 23rd January,
2009 moved by Subhash Chandra Agarwal before the CPIO, Supreme Court of India to
furnish a copy of complete file/papers as available with the Supreme Court of
India inclusive of copies of complete correspondence exchanged between the
concerned constitutional authorities with file notings relating to the
appointment of  Mr. Justice H. L. Dattu, Mr. Justice A. K. Ganguly and Mr.
Justice R. M. Lodha superseding seniority of Mr. Justice A. P. Shah, Mr. Justice
A. K. Patnaik and Mr. Justice V. K. Gupta, which was allegedly objected to by
the Prime Minister. The CPIO Vide Order dated 25th February, 2009 had denied
this information observing that the Registry did not deal with the matters
pertaining to the appointment of the judges to the Supreme Court of India.
Appointment of judges to the Supreme Court and the High Courts are made by the
President of India as per the procedure prescribed by law and the matters
relating thereto were not dealt with and handled by the Registry of the Supreme
Court. The information was neither maintained nor available with the Registry.
First appeal preferred by Subhash Chandra Agarwal was rejected vide order dated
25th March, 2009 by the appellate authority. On further appeal, the CIC has
accepted the appeal and directed furnishing of information by relying on the
judgment dated 02nd September, 2009 of the Delhi High Court in Writ Petition
(Civil) No. 288 of 2009 titled Central Public Information Officer, Supreme
Court of India Vs. Subhash Chandra Agarwal & Another.
The CIC also relied on the decision of Supreme  Court in S. P. Gupta Vs. Union
of India & Others, to reach its conclusion. Aggrieved, the CPIO, Supreme Court
of India preferred the present appeal stating, inter alia, that the judgment in
Writ Petition (Civil) No. 288 of 2009 was upheld by the Full Bench of the Delhi
High Court in LPA No. 501 of 2009 Vide judgment dated 12th January, 2010, which
judgment is the subject matter of appeal before this Court in Civil Appeal
No.2683 of 2010.
Civil Appeal No. 2683 of 2010 arises from an application dated 10th November,
2007 moved by Subhash Chandra Agarwal seeking information on declaration of
assets made by the Judges to the Chief Justices in the States, which application
was dismissed by the CPIO, Supreme Court of India Vide Order/letter dated 30th
November, 2007 stating that information relating to declaration of assets of the
Judges of the Supreme Court of India and the High Courts was not held by or was
not under control of the Registry of the Supreme Court of India.
On the first appeal, the appellate authority had passed an Order of Remit
directing the CPIO, Supreme Court of India to follow the procedure under Section
6 (3) of the RTI Act and to inform Subhash Chandra Agarwal about the authority
holding such information as was sought. The CPIO had thereafter Vide Order dated
07th February, 2008 held that the applicant should approach the CPIO of the High
Courts and filing of the application before the CPIO of the Supreme Court was
against the spirit of Section 6 (3) of the RTI Act.
Thereupon, Subhash Chandra Agarwal directly preferred an appeal before the CIC,
without filing the first appeal, which appeal was allowed Vide Order dated 06th
January, 2009 directing:
... in view of what has been observed above, the CPIO of the Supreme Court is
directed to provide the information asked for by the appellant in his RTI
application as to whether such declaration of assets etc. has been filed by the
Hon’ble Judges of the Supreme Court or not within ten working days from the date
of receipt of this decision notice.
Aggrieved, the CPIO, Supreme Court of India had filed Writ Petition (Civil) No.
288 of 2009 before the Delhi High Court, which was decided by the learned Single
Judge Vide Judgment dated 02nd September, 2009, and the findings were summarised
as:
84. [...]
Re Point Nos. 1 & 2 Whether the CJI is a Public Authority and whether the
CPIO, of the Supreme Court of India, is different from the Office of the CJI;
and if so, whether the Act covers the Office of the CJI?;
Answer: The CJI is a Public Authority under the Right to Information Act
and the CJI holds the information pertaining to asset declarations in his
capacity as Chief Justice; that Office is a Public Authority under the Act and
is covered by its provisions.
Re Point No. 3: Whether asset declaration by Supreme Court Judges,
pursuant to the 1997 Resolution are information, under the Right to Information
Act, 2005?.
Answer: It is held that the second part of the respondents application,
relating to declaration of assets by the Supreme Court Judges, is information
within the meaning of the expression, under Section 2 (f) of the Act. The point
is answered accordingly; the information pertaining to declarations given, to
the CJI and the contents of such declaration are information and subject to the
provisions of the Right to Information Act.
Re Point No. 4: If such asset declarations are information does the CJI
hold them in a fiduciary capacity, and are they therefore, exempt from
disclosure under the Act?.
Answer: The petitioners argument about the CJI holding asset declarations
in a fiduciary capacity, (which would be breached if it is directed to be
disclosed, in the manner sought by the applicant) is insubstantial. The CJI does
not hold such declarations in a fiduciary capacity or relationship.
Re Point No. 5: Whether such information is exempt from disclosure by
reason of Section 8 (1)(j) of the Act?
Answer: It is held that the contents of asset declarations, pursuant to
the 1997 resolution—and the 1999 Conference resolution—are entitled to be
treated as personal information, and may be accessed in accordance with the
procedure prescribed under Section 8 (1)(j); they are not otherwise subject to
disclosure. As far as the information sought by the applicant in this case is
concerned, (i.e. Whether the declarations were made pursuant to the 1997
resolution) the procedure under Section 8 (1)(j) is inapplicable.
Re Point No. (6): Whether the lack of clarity about the details of asset
declaration and about their details, as well as lack of security renders asset
declarations and their disclosure, unworkable?.
Answer: These are not insurmountable obstacles; the CJI, if he deems it
appropriate, may in consultation with the Supreme Court Judges, evolve uniform
standards, devising the nature of information, relevant formats, and if
required, the periodicity of the declarations to be made.
The forms evolved, as well as the procedures followed in the United
States—including the redaction norms—under the Ethics in Government Act, 1978,
reports of the US Judicial Conference, as well as the Judicial Disclosure
Responsibility Act, 2007, which amends the Ethics in Government Act of 1978
to:
On further appeal by the CPIO, Supreme Court of India, LPA No. 501 of 2009
was referred to the Full Bench, which has Vide its decision dated 12th January,
2010 dismissed the appeal. The Judgment recorded that the parties were ad-idem
with regard to Point Nos. 1 & 2 as the CPIO, Supreme Court of India had fairly
conceded and accepted the conclusions arrived at by the learned Single Judge
and, thus, need not be disturbed.
Nevertheless, the Full Bench had felt it appropriate to observe that they were
in full agreement with the reasoning given by the learned Single Judge. The
expression ‘Public Authority’ as used in the RTI Act is of wide amplitude and
includes an authority created by or under the Constitution of India, which
description holds good for the Chief Justice of India.
While the Chief Justice of India is designated as one of the competent
authorities under Section 2 (e) of the RTI Act, the Chief Justice of India
besides discharging his role as ‘head of the judiciary’ also performs a
multitude of tasks assigned to him under the Constitution and various other
enactments. In the absence of any indication that the office of the Chief
Justice of India is a separate establishment with its own CPIO, it cannot be
canvassed that the Office of the CPIO of the Supreme Court is different from
the Office of the CJI (that is, the Chief Justice of India). Further,
neither side had made any submissions on the issue of ‘unworkability’ on
account of ‘lack of clarity’ or ‘lack of security’ vis-à -vis asset declarations
by the judges.
The above questions were answered in favour of the respondent - Subhash
Chandra Aggarwal as the Full Bench has held that the respondent had the right to
information under Section 2 (j) of the RTI Act with regard to the information in
the form of declarations of assets made pursuant to the 1997 Resolution. The
Chief Justice did not hold such declarations in a fiduciary capacity or
relationship and, therefore, the information was not exempt under Section 8
(1)(e) of the RTI Act.
Addressing the third question, the Bench had observed:
116. In the present case the particulars sought for by the respondent do not
justify or warrant protection under Section 8 (1)(j) inasmuch as the only
information the applicant sought was whether 1997 Resolution was complied with.
That kind of innocuous information does not warrant the protection granted by
Section 8 (1)(j). We concur with the view of the learned single Judge that the
contents of asset declarations, pursuant to the 1997 Resolution, are entitled to
be treated as personal information, and may be accessed in accordance with the
procedure prescribed under Section 8 (1)(j); that they are not otherwise subject
to disclosure. Therefore, as regards contents of the declarations, information
applicants would have to, whenever they approach the authorities, under the Act
satisfy them under Section 8 (1)(j) that such disclosure is warranted in larger
public interest.
The afore-captioned three appeals were tagged to be heard and decided together
Vide order dated 26th November, 2010, the operative portion of which reads as
under:
12. Having heard the learned Attorney General and the learned counsel for the
respondent, we are of the considered opinion that a substantial question of law
as to the interpretation of the Constitution is involved in the present case
which is required to be heard by a Constitution Bench.
The case on hand raises important questions of constitutional importance
relating to the position of  Hon’ble the Chief Justice of India under the
Constitution and the independence of the Judiciary in the scheme of the
Constitution on the one hand and on the other, fundamental right to freedom of
speech and expression. Right to information is an integral part of the
fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression guaranteed by the
Constitution. Right to Information Act merely recognizes the constitutional
right of citizens to freedom of speech and expression. Independence of Judiciary
forms part of basic structure of the Constitution of India. The independence of
Judiciary and the fundamental right to free speech and expression are of a great
value and both of them are required to be balanced.
As to what may constitute public interest, the Court mentioned certain
parameters which could be applied to test. In the words of Justice Khanna:
73. Comparison or balancing exercise of competing public interests has to be
undertaken in both sections, albeit under Section 8 (1)(j) the comparison is
between public interest behind the exemption, that is personal information or
invasion of privacy of the individual and public interest behind access to
information, whereas the test prescribed by the proviso to Section 11 (1) is
somewhat broader and wider as it requires comparison between disclosure of
information relating to a third person or information supplied and treated as
confidential by the third party and possible harm or injury to the third party
on disclosure, which would include all kinds of ‘possible’ harm and
injury to the third party on disclosure.
76. The public interest test in the context of the RTI Act would mean reflecting
upon the object and purpose behind the right to information, the right to
privacy and consequences of invasion, and breach of confidentiality and possible
harm and injury that would be caused to the third party, with reference to a
particular information and the person.
78. Public interest has no relationship and is not connected with the number of
individuals adversely affected by the disclosure which may be small and
insignificant in comparison to the substantial number of individuals wanting
disclosure. It will vary according to the information sought and all
circumstances of the case that bear upon the public interest in maintaining the
exemptions and those in disclosing the information must be accounted for to
judge the right balance. Public interest is not immutable and even time-gap may
make a significant difference. The type and likelihood of harm to the public
interest behind the exemption and public interest in disclosure would matter.
The delicate balance requires identification of public interest behind each
exemption and then cumulatively weighing the public interest in accepting or
maintaining the exemption(s) to deny information in a particular case against
the public interest in disclosure in that particular case. Further, under
Section 11 (1), reference is made to the ‘possible’ harm and injury to the third
party which will also have to be factored in when determining disclosure of
confidential information relating to the third parties.
Referring to Section 6 (2) of the RTI Act, the Constitution Bench stated that
the motive of the seeker of information is not a relevant consideration at all
while considering the application. However, motive and purpose are relevant
considerations while applying the public interest test in case of qualified
exemptions governed by the public interest test.
The RTI Act has given the Public Information Officer vast discretion in taking a
call on these matters. The independence of judiciary is one of the factors to be
taken into account in weighing and applying the public interest test.
88. ......Thus, when the public interest demands the disclosure of information,
judicial independence has to be kept in mind while deciding the question of
exercise of discretion. However, we should not be understood to mean that the
independence of the judiciary can be achieved only by denial of access to
information. Independence in a given case may well demand openness and
transparency by furnishing the information
In the context of information relating to judicial appointments, Justice Khannas
judgment drew a distinction between input and output.
............The rigour of public interest in divulging the input details, data
and particulars of the candidate would be different from that that of divulging
and furnishing details of the output, that is the decision. In the former,
public interest test would have to be applied keeping in mind the fiduciary
relationship (if it arises), and also the invasion of the right to privacy and
breach of the duty of confidentiality owed to the candidate or the information
provider, resulting from the furnishing of such details and particulars.
As regards the direction of the Delhi HC regarding disclosure of information
relating to collegium deliberations, the SC directed the CPIO to re-examine the
matter after following the procedure under Section 11 (1) of the RTI Act as the
information related to third parties.
However, with respect to the information relating to assets of judges, the
Supreme Court held that such disclosure would not, in any way, impinge upon the
personal information and right to privacy of the judges. The fiduciary
relationship rule in terms of clause (e) to Section 8 (1) of the RTI Act is also
inapplicable to this information.
The Supreme Court asked the Information Commissioner to apply test of
proportionality while entertaining applications seeking information from CJIs
Office, keeping in mind right to privacy and independence of judiciary.
........Questions referred to the Constitution Bench are accordingly answered,
observing that it is not possible to answer these questions in absolute terms,
and that in each case, the public interest test would be applied to weigh the
scales and on balance determine whether information should be furnished or would
be exempt. Therefore, a universal affirmative or negative answer is not
possible. However, independence of judiciary is a matter of public interest,
observed the judgment of Justice Khanna.
Right to privacy and right to information go hand in hand. None can take
precedence over the other, said Justice Ramana concurring with Justice Khannas
opinion.
Judicial independence does not entail preclusion from rule of law, observed
Justice Chandrachud. The information about assets of judges does not constitute
personal information and cannot be exempted from RTI. Judiciary cannot function
in total isolation as judges enjoy constitutional post and discharge public
duty, added Justice Chandrachud.
There is a vital public interest in disclosing the basis on which those with
judicial experience are evaluated for elevation to higher judicial office
particularly having regard to merit, integrity and judicial performance. Placing
the criteria followed in making judicial appointments in the public domain will
fulfil the purpose and mandate of Section 4 of the RTI Act, engender public
confidence in the process and provides a safeguard against extraneous
considerations entering into the process, Justice Chandrachud observed.
Other Key findings The key findings in the judgment authored by Justice Khanna
(for himself, CJI Gogoi and Justice Ramana) are:
As per Justice Ramana, there are certain factors which needs to be considered
before concluding whether there was a reasonable expectation of privacy of the
person concerned.
These non-exhaustive factors are:
These non-exhaustive factors are to be considered in order to come to a
conclusion whether the information sought is private or does the persons has a
reasonable expectations of privacy. In certain cases we may conclude that there
could be certain information which are inherently private and are presumptively
protected under the privacy rights. These informations include gender, age and
sexual preferences etc. These instances need to be kept in mind while assessing
the first requirement under the aforesaid test.
While laying out the importance of the assessment of Public Interest in any
Right to Information query besides brining the Office of Chief Justice of India
under the purview of the Act, the decision has gone on to uphold the Delhi High
Court Verdict in 2010. The Right to Information Act, 2005 is a strong weapon
that enhances accountability, citizen activism and, consequentially,
participative democracy, even if its implementation has come under strain in
recent years due mainly to the Central Governments apathy and disregard for the
nuts and bolts of the Act. Yet, despite this, the Supreme Court judgment paves
the way for greater transparency and could now impinge upon issues such as
disclosures, under the RTI Act, by other institutions such as registered
political parties.
Written By: Dinesh Singh Chauhan, Advocate - High Court of Judicature,
Jammu
Email: [email protected], [email protected]Â
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