Central Information Commission Has Authority To Regulate Its Own Hearing Schedule: Delhi High Court
A petition was filed which sought a direction from the Court instructing the CIC to dispose of his second appeal without undue delay.
Justice Sachin Datta, Delhi High Court
The Delhi High Court held that it does not possess the authority to issue directives to the Central Information Commission (CIC) regarding the scheduling or management of its hearings.
The matter arose from a petition filed, which sought a direction from the Court instructing the CIC to dispose of his second appeal without undue delay. Petitioner had approached the Court expressing concern over the prolonged pendency of his appeal before the Commission.
A Bench of Justice Sachin Datta held, “At the outset, it is observed that it is for the Central Information Commission (CIC) to regulate its own calendar / schedule of hearing. It is not for this Court to issue directions with regard thereto."
Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma appeared for the Respondents.
Despite declining to intervene in the internal scheduling practices of the CIC, the Court took into account the specific circumstances of the case. In doing so, it directed, “Considering the peculiar facts and circumstances of the case, liberty is granted to the petitioner to mention the matter before the concerned Bench seized of the matter and request for an expeditious hearing on the aforesaid second appeal. Let an endeavour be made to decide the same as expeditiously as possible, preferably within a period of eight weeks from today.”
With these observations, the Court disposed of the petition.
Cause Title: Sunil Bagai v. Central Information Commission & Ors.
Appearance:
Respondents: Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Chetan Sharma, Advocates Laavanya Kaushik and Kyaati Bansal.
