The Delhi High Court has ruled that the Central Information Commission (CIC) cannot issue policy directions to public authorities under the RTI Act.
The Court quashed a CIC show-cause notice against Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL), which had been issued based on a complaint by a suspended employee.
The Court held that CIC’s role is limited to ensuring disclosure of existing information, not suggesting administrative practices like empanelment of advocates.
The court found the CIC's observations beyond its statutory remit and set aside the notice, calling such policy prescriptions ultra vires the RTI Act.
[HPCL& Ors v. Mr Siddhartha Mukherjee]
