SC says people with non-judicial background can be CIC

Recalling an earlier ruling, the Supreme Court on Tuesday held that people with non-judicial background can be appointed as Central Information Commissioners across the country.

A bench headed by Justice A K Patnaik, however, said that in cases involving a substantial question of law, the CIC shall endeavour to refer the matter to any of the CIC who have got some knowledge of the law.

The apex court had earlier said that only people with legal or judicial background could be appointed as CICs.

The bench further clarified that at the time of the appointment of the CIC, preference should be given to people of eminence belonging to the field of science, technology, media and other fields.