HC defers hearing on plea on declaration of judges' assets

New Delhi, Feb 27 (ANI): The Delhi High Court on Friday deferred hearing on a petition filed by the Supreme Court challenging a Central Information Commission (CIC) order directing that assets of the judges should be made public.

Justice S. Ravinder Bhat adjourned the matter and posted it for further hearing on March 17.

The Supreme Court in its affidavit had said declaration of assets by its judges to the Chief Justice is "personal" information, which cannot be revealed under the Right to Information Act.

In its affidavit the apex court made it clear that its judges are not opposed to declaring their assets but there is no legal obligation to do so.

The seven-page affidavit was filed in response to a reply of an RTI applicant who pleaded that all information given to CJI comes within public domain and that he cannot be denied such information.

The apex court had said the judges are not averse to declaring their assets but there should be a proper law with proper safeguard to prevent misuse of such information.

The Court had on January 19 stayed the order of the CIC that the office of Chief Justice of India comes within the ambit of the RTI Act and information given to CJI has to be revealed to the RTI applicant. (ANI)