Office of CJI is a public authority, comes under purview of RTI, rules SC

"Neither is RTI under Article 19 nor is the right to privacy absolute," Justice Chandrachud added, saying that all judges and the CJI hold "constitutional positions".

The Supreme Court on Wednesday, November 13, held that the office of the Chief Justice of India comes under the definition of ‘public authority’ in the Right to Information Act, upholding the 2010 landmark judgment of the Delhi high court bringing the CJI’s office under the RTI.

While public interest demands accountability, judicial independence is foremost, read Justice Sanjiv Khanna from the majority judgment, reported Bar and Bench.

However, bringing the CJI’s office under the RTI would not undermine the independence of the judiciary, said Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, who read out a separate opinion on the case.

“Neither is RTI under Article 19