HC impact: CIC emerges divided house

The Delhi High Court's decision on the working of Central Information Commission has divided the panel as some commissioners have favoured suspension of work till government clears the issue of constitution of benches while others rejected the demand.

The Delhi High Court's decision on the working of Central Information Commission has divided the panel as some commissioners have favoured suspension of work till government clears the issue of constitution of benches while others rejected the demand.

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A meeting of all the Information Commissioners was convened by Chief Information Commissioner Wajahat Habibullah on Tuesday where some senior-most commissioners said that hearings should be stopped till the issue of benches is clarified by the government, sources privy to meeting said.

When contacted, Habibullah refused to comment on the proceedings of the meeting but said there would be no change in the working of the Commission.

"We have sought legal opinion on the order. I have been told that there was nothing in the order which barred the hearing by individual commissioners. We will abide by the High Court order and will approach the government seeking clarity on the matter but the work will continue," Habibullah told PTI.