Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Supreme Court Rejects Plea To Publish LoP Dissent on CIC Appointments

The court framed its role as ensuring eligibility compliance rather than re-litigating selection merits.

Overview

  • The bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant refused to direct disclosure of the Leader of the Opposition’s dissent on recent Central Information Commission appointments.
  • Stating it would not hold a merits ‘trial,’ the court said the statutory selection panel is not expected to appoint unqualified candidates.
  • Additional Solicitor General K. M. Nataraj said CIC posts have been filled, and the bench sought a status report detailing applicant numbers and shortlists in line with prior directions.
  • The court directed states to fill vacancies in their information commissions within two months and suggested considering more sanctioned posts to reduce backlogs.
  • Petitioners represented by Prashant Bhushan argued the public is entitled to know the reasons for the dissent and cited concerns about past non-transparent selections.