SC stays CIC's order on appointment of judges issue

Giving relief to itself, the Supreme Court on Friday stayed the Central Information Commission's direction asking it to make public information pertaining to appointment of three judges to the apex court by superseding senior judges.

Giving relief to itself, the Supreme Court on Friday stayed the Central Information Commission's direction asking it to make public information pertaining to appointment of three judges to the apex court by superseding senior judges.

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The apex court also stayed another CIC's order which had directed disclosure of communication between Chief Justice of India and Justice R Raghupathy of Madras High Court on alleged interference by a union minister in a sub-judice matter.

The SLP filed by the apex court against the CIC's direction was mentioned by Attorney General G E Vahanvati before a Bench comprising Justices B Sudershan Reddy and Deepak Verma which issued notice to the RTI applicant on whose plea the CIC had passed the direction.

The Court sought the reply within three weeks and granted another two weeks for filing of rejoinder.

The Attorney General along with Advocate Devadatt Kamat sought stay on the CIC's direction saying several important question of law arise in the matter which required urgent hearing.

Advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for RTI applicant SC Aggrawal, was present in the court when the matter came up.

The Supreme Court had on December 1 moved before itself a petition challenging the order of CIC which had directed it to divulge information relating to appointment of judges to the apex court and communication between Chief Justice of India and Justice Raghupathy.