Information on SC benches may arouse regional feelings: CIC

Disclosure of information related to setting of Supreme Court benches outside Delhi may ‘arouse regional feelings’ and create ‘needless political controversy’ resulting in law and order problem, the CIC has held allowing the apex court to withhold it.

‘We find force in the arguments of the respondent that the information sought, if disclosed at this stage, could lead to needless controversy of a political nature, which should best be avoided taking into account the need for efficient functioning of the Supreme Court,’ the Full Bench said.

Appellant Rajiv Rufus from Madurai has sought information inter alia about the copies of minutes of the meeting of the Full Court of the Supreme Court, the file notings and letters sent by the Chief Justice of India to the Parliamentary Standing Committee relating to the setting up of benches of the Supreme Court outside Delhi.