DECADE-LONG LEGAL AFFAIR

■ In November 2007, RTI activist SC Agarwal files and an application before the Central Public Information Officer (CPIO), Supreme Court, seeking details of the assets declared and furnished by SC judges and chief justices of high courts.

■ Agarwal’s request was turned down by the CPIO, saying that information sought was not under the Supreme Court registry and, could not be furnished.

■ An appeal against the CPIO was preferred by Agarwal before the Central Information Commission (CIC).

■ CIC holds Supreme Court and the Chief Justice to be public authorities under the Right to Information Act

■ But in 2009, aggrieved by the

CIC order, Supreme Court CPIO challenges the CIC order before the High Court.

■ The matter, as heard by a single judge, Justice Ravindra Bhat who again ruled in favour of the activist. Justice Bhat held that “the CJI is a public authority under the Right to Information Act”.

■ In 2009 itself, the judgment is appealed before a three-judge bench of the Delhi High Court. Once again, a three judge bench of Justices AP Shah, Vikramjit Sena and S Murlidhar uphold the single judge’s verdict.

■ In 2010, after three adverse orders, the CPIO challenges the high court order before Supreme Court.

■ In 2019, SC rules office of CJI falls in the ambit of RTI