Delhi High Court Refuses to Entertain Plea for Public Access to CIC Hearings Under RTI Act

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday, 09 July, 2025, refused to entertain a petition that sought broader public access to hearings before the Central Information Commission (CIC), including a request to permit both journalists and members of the general public to attend proceedings in person as well as virtually.

Filed by journalist Saurav Das, the plea sought directions from the authorities to widen public access to CIC hearings under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.

The matter came up before the Division Bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Anish Dayal.

Dictating the order, the High Court at the outset observed that, as per the order dated September 23, 2016, hearings before the Commission are open to the public.

"Accordingly, in view of the aforesaid, no such declaration needs to be made in respect of the prayer," the Court said.

"As regards the prayer relating to directions to be issued to the CIC to permit the physical entry of journalists and the general public, we permit the petitioner to represent their cause before the Chief Information Commissioner. He shall take an appropriate decision in accordance with the applicable laws and rules, with due expedition," the HC ordered.

During the course of proceedings, ASG Chetan Sharma informed the Court that a similar matter is pending before the Supreme Court.

Taking note of the submission, the High Court observed the same and directed the petitioners to seek their impleadment in the matter already pending before the top court.

"We are accordingly of the opinion that the petitioners would be better advised to seek their impleadment in the matter already pending. Thus, the writ petition is disposed of with these directions," the Court directed.

Case Title: Saurav Das versus Central Information Commission