Delhi HC refuses to entertain journalists’ plea for access to CIC hearings

The Delhi High Court has refused to entertain a petition which sought directions to widen public access to the hearings of the Central Information Commission under the Right to Information Act, Bar and Bench reported.

The division bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Anish Dayal reportedly noted that the CIC and the Supreme Court can be approached in the matter. The CIC was directed to decide on the same promptly.

The court was reportedly dealing with a petition filed by journalists Saurav Das, Betwa Sharma, Vinita Deshmukh, Kunal Rajnikant Purohit and Mohit M Rao (petitioners). 

The court also observed that the issue of allowing litigants and others virtual access to CIC hearings is already pending before the Supreme Court. 

The petitioners said that they had already submitted a representation to the CIC on July 24, 2024, asking for public access. But they alleged that no action was taken on their request so they approached the high court. It said that in-camera hearings undermined public accountability and obstructed informed civic participation. 

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